"Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, 'I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?' Jesus said to him in reply, 'Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.' Then he allowed him. After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened (for him), and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove (and) coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased' (Matt.3:13-17).
After Vespers this evening, we re-enter Ordinary Time until Wednesday, 9 March, when the Great Lent begins. I truly hope everyone had a blessed and happy Christmas, enjoying friends and family along the way, partying and bringing some light, fun, and beauty to these dark days of winter, which, since the solstice, are now getting longer. Truly Jesus Christ is "the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (Jn. 1:4). This what we are called to witness and, in turn, to give witness.