January 9, 2011 - The Baptism of Jesus – Rev Fr Mario Rivera

January 9, 2011 - The Baptism of Jesus – Rev Fr Mario Rivera


Baptism – removes stain/ shame of our inherited original Sin, from Adam and Eve.
- heals the wound , removes the wound of sin.
- indelible mark, will never be erased, it is your IDENTIFICATION in Gods kingdom.

Ex. A father whose been sentenced to prison not only will bear alone the stain and shame of his sin but all his children will bear the shame and teasing.

Genesis 3;16-19

16
To the woman he said: "I will intensify the pangs of your childbearing; in pain shall you bring forth children. Yet your urge shall be for your husband, and he shall be your master."
17
To the man he said: "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat, "Cursed be the ground because of you! In toil shall you eat its yield all the days of your life.
18
Thorns and thistles shall it bring forth to you, as you eat of the plants of the field.
19
By the sweat of your face shall you get bread to eat, Until you return to the ground, from which you were taken; For you are dirt, and to dirt you shall return."

We still are bearing the brunt of our first parents sin.

John didn’t want to baptize Jesus, Jesus was without Sin, God became Man.

Jesus submitted to being baptized fulfill scripture, to shoulder our sin, and to ensure our acceptance in the Kingdom of God.

- The beauty of our lives reflect the beauty of God

- we need to be dignified
- We are a child of God , You are a dignified person, Live as a child of God!
- You are Baptized, it is an indelible mark! it will never disappear, will never be erased.
even if in a moment error you change religion, being baptized Catholic, you need not get another Baptism, and upon Gods grace you go back to being Catholic, you need not have another baptism , but to go to Confession and to recite the Apostles Creed.

When we were baptized we became Gods children and we have dignity and being His children, we have this inheritance, Eternal Life.

Ex. Inheritance, when informed in advance we do plan ahead what we will do with it, how we will spend it.

The same way with Eternal Life, we should plan for it! If your doing wrong here how can you claim a place in heaven.


1.) Whats your date of Baptism? We celebrate our birthdays ,but why not our birth in Gods Kingdom
2.) Importance of giving a Christian Name in Baptism – choose Christian Names , Saints names those who led an exemplary Christian Life.


We are reminded this words:
Mat 3:17
And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

You are dignified person , LIVE as a child of God and May the Lord be pleased