7 th January, 2007

The Baptism of the Lord - Year C

S: Good morning today we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of Jesus and we recall the importance of our own Baptism and our trying to live the Christian life as best we can.

B: Our word of life for today comes from Luke’s Gospel “He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire”. These are the words of John the Baptist and isn’t it interesting that the Baptism of Jesus marked the beginning of his public ministry. And in the same way our own Baptism marks the beginning of our public life as a Christian.

S: I suppose in other ways we could say Baptism is more than just an entrance-visa to a particular way of life. More, it’s a work permit for the Christian way of life. So Baptism is our work permit to live the Christian life as best we can. Over the years I’ve been involved in so many baptisms and I always feel it’s a great privilege to be asked to welcome someone in to the family of the church. In fact this afternoon I will baptise my niece Donna and I wish her and her parents Carmel and Paul, the very best. I think in my own case its almost always been babies that I have baptised and I never cease to be amazed at the miracle of new life and I often say to the family gathered at a baptism how far beyond our understanding the miracle of new life is, and that we now welcome God to be part of the journey of this little child.

B: Now, today marks the official end of the Christmas season, if the decorations aren’t down already, they will be coming down soon, Seems a bit soon when you think that the wise men only went into the Crib yesterday. Anyway, so as not to loose that spirit we have a reflection for you this morning by Dermot Horgan called “The Fourth Wise Man” taken from ‘The Far East’ magazine. It’s a humorous reflection but one that new parents in particular may identify with. This is especially for all the new mums!!!!

Three Wise Men came to Bethlehem, following a star.

Their names, we’re told, were Melchor, Gaspar and Balthazar.

One brought a gift of frankincense, the other myrrh and gold;

They came to greet the newborn King, the Gospel story told.

S: They gave their gifts to Jesus, in the manger where he lay;

His mother offered coffee, but they said they couldn’t stay.

They got back on their camels – near the stable they’d been tied –

And as they headed off back East, Mary softly sighed:

B: “I really don’t need perfume, though myrrh of course is tops,

And gold is always useful, though we’re nowhere near the shops.

And frankincense is lovely – but a stable’s not the place.

I hope they’re not the wisest men in all the human race!

It was very good of them to come from such a far-off land,

After all that time on camels it’s a wonder they could stand!

But bringing Jesus gifts of myrrh and frankincense and gold -

It’s just not very practical – he’s only ten days old.”

S: Next afternoon a man appeared outside the stable gate,

He said he was the Fourth Wise Man – and sorry he was late.

E: “I’ve brought some things I thought you’d need – it’s just a little gift.”

S: A quick inspection of this bag gave Mary’s heart a lift.

A frozen casserole was there, and a stuffed and fluffy toy,

Some baby clothes in pastel blue – he’d guessed it was a boy!

B: ‘The thought of washing nappies Joseph,

need not unnerve us,

For here’s a six month voucher

for a nappy washing service!’

S: She turned to thank the stranger, but the stranger wasn’t there:

He’d slipped away and vanished in the chilly winter air.

But on the gate he’d left a note, quite simple but profound –

E: ‘Don’t write this in the Gospel, please – I’d never live it down!’

S: So don’t forget the Fourth Wise Man – the wisest of the lot,

He brought the really useful gifts the other three forgot.

If thoughts of gold and frankincense and myrrh don’t leave you glum,

It’s because you’re prob’ly not a young (and first time) mum!

B: You’ve been listening to “Just a thought” with Brenda

Cribbin,

E: with The Fourth Wise Man

S: and Seamus Madigan. We can be contacted through the Limerick Diocesan Offices at Henry Street. You can also download your own copy of this reflection by clicking on limerickdiocese.org

B: We look forward to your company again next week, so take care...

S & B: Bye !!!!!!!

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