Baptism: Anointed and Called to Serve!
By Fr James Conlon
St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Ann Arbor

National Vocation Awareness Week is January 11-16, 2004

Gospel
Lk 3:15-16, 21-22

The people were filled with expectation,
and all were asking in their hearts
whether John might be the Christ.
John answered them all, saying,
"I am baptizing you with water,
but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."

After all the people had been baptized
and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying,
heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him
in bodily form like a dove.
And a voice came from heaven,
"You are my beloved Son;
with you I am well pleased."

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord gives all of us, who are baptized in Christ, an opportunity to reflect on the real meaning of our baptismal calling. Just as Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit and sent to proclaim the Kingdom of God, we too have been washed clean in the waters of God's mercy, anointed with the same Holy Spirit and sent to proclaim the same Kingdom.

During this National Vocation Awareness Week we are reminded and challenged in a special way to reflect on how we live that calling. If we were to use one word to sum up the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, it would have to be "Servant". For His life was spent in the service of His Heavenly Father and as servant of the Kingdom He was sent to proclaim. As His disciples each one of us shares in this identity as "Servant", whether as spouses, single people, parents, grandparents, teachers, family members or as priests, sisters, deacons and lay leaders in the Church. Each one of us has been called to use our distinctive and individual gifts and talents to help build the Kingdom of God and to be models of Christ-like service to others. This is our common responsibility and our common expectation. No one is exempt! We have been called, we have been baptized and we have been anointed!

Yet in the busy-ness and noise of our world, this call can often be ignored or drowned out. And so on this holy feast, the Church puts forth this clear and distinct call for all of us to listen anew to the voice of the Father. Perhaps He is calling you or someone you know to active ministry in the Church as an ordained priest or deacon, religious or lay leader. Perhaps you feel perplexed by the call, afraid to answer, unsure of the right response. Then have no fear! Listen again to the words of the Father, for we are through baptism His beloved sons and daughters, in "whom He is well pleased". This alone should give us courage and strength to listen, discern and answer the call!

If you feel the call why not talk to someone about it?