Homily for Baptism of the Lord, January 11, 2026

     My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. This beautiful feast marks the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. In the Gospel of Matthew, we see Jesus standing on the banks of the Jordan River. He is not there because He needs to be cleansed from sin, for He is the sinless Son of God. Rather, He is there to begin His mission of love and salvation for each one of us.

     The first thing we notice in today’s Gospel is the incredible humility of Jesus. When Jesus approaches John the Baptist, John is hesitant. He knows that Jesus is the "Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." John says, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?" John recognizes the greatness of Christ and his own unworthiness. However, Jesus insists, saying it is necessary "to fulfill all righteousness." By choosing to be baptized by John, the King of Kings places Himself in line with the lowly, the broken, and the repentant. He does not set Himself apart in a palace; He stands in the muddy waters of the Jordan. This act of humility shows us that God does not look down on us from a distance. Instead, He enters into our reality, walks our path, and carries our burdens.

     Why would the Son of God receive a baptism of repentance? It is because Jesus identified Himself with sinners. By entering the water, Jesus was not being washed clean; rather, He was sanctifying the water for us. He took upon Himself the weight of our humanity. He stood in that line of sinners to show that He is "God with us." As the Prophet Isaiah tells us in the first reading, God’s servant does not cry out or shout in the streets. He is gentle. He does not break the bruised reed or quench the smoldering wick. Jesus’ baptism is the first public sign that He has come to heal what is broken in us. He knows our struggles, our temptations, and our failures. By identifying with us at the Jordan, He prepares the way for Him to identify with us on the Cross.

     This humility was not just a nice gesture; it was the key to fulfilling God’s plan. Because Jesus was humble and obedient, the heavens were opened. We hear the voice of the Father saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." The Holy Spirit descends like a dove, anointing Jesus for His mission. St. Peter reminds us in the Acts of the Apostles that God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power, and He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil. It was Jesus’ total surrender to the Father’s will—starting at His baptism—that allowed the plan of redemption to move forward. Without this humble beginning, there would be no Gospel, no miracles, and no Resurrection.

     Finally, we must ask ourselves: what does this mean for us today? Our own Baptism is our gateway to Jesus and to Heaven. When we were baptized, we were not just washed with water; we were claimed by God. We became His adopted children. Just as the Father spoke over Jesus, He speaks over each of you today: "You are my beloved child." Our Baptism gives us a "spiritual identity" that the world cannot take away. It links us directly to the life of Christ. Through the grace of this Sacrament, we are given the strength to turn away from sin and to live lives of holiness. It is our "passport" to the Kingdom of God. However, Baptism is not just a past event; it is a daily calling. Every day, we are called to live out our baptismal promises by choosing light over darkness and love over selfishness.

     As we celebrate this feast, let us renew our gratitude for the gift of our Baptism. Let us ask the Lord for the grace to be humble like Him, to serve others with a gentle heart, and to always remember that we belong to God. By following the path of Jesus, we can be confident that we are walking toward our true home in Heaven.

Welcome Pastor Chinna

From the Pastor's desk, July 6th, 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

We thank God for the remarkable journey of Rev. Father Samuel Martin, born and raised in our parish, now appointed as Vicar General and the Vicar for Clergy for the Diocese of La Crosse. This appointment is a testament to his dedication, hard work, and faithfulness to God’s call. We thank God for his 26 years of priestly service, marked by a deep commitment to prayer and a passion for bringing many to Christ. His priesthood is a shining example of God’s goodness and faithfulness, and we are grateful for the impact he has had on our     community. His life and ministry embody this truth. His appointments as Vicar General and Vicar for Clergy are significant responsibilities, and we pray that God will continue to guide and strengthen him as he serves the priests and people of our diocese.

    We also want to express our deepest gratitude to Fr. Samuel Martin’s mother, our beloved sacristan, who has faithfully serving our church for many years. Her dedication to keeping our church in order and her role in nurturing Fr. Samuel Martin’s vocation is a testament to her love for God and her family. We thank her for her selflessness and her commitment to serving God’s people. To his siblings, we thank them for their faith and   conviction, and we pray that God will continue to bless and guide them.

    As Fr. Samuel Martin begins his new roles, we pray that God will grant him wisdom, guidance, and strength. We pray that he will be a source of encouragement and support to the priests of our diocese, and that he will help to build unity and harmony among the clergy. “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you what you need so that you may be of one mind.”-Romans 15:5. May his ministry be marked by joy, peace, and a   deepening commitment to God’s will.

    As we celebrate Fr. Samuel Martin’s vocation and appointments, we are reminded of the importance of praying for our children and vocations to the priesthood and religious life. We pray that God will give them the desire to do His will and the strength to follow Him wholeheartedly. “For I know the plans I have for you,”  declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”- Jeremiah 29:11. May God bless our children, our priests, and our parish community, and may we continue to be a source of hope and light to those around us.