Get in Line with All the Other Sinners

#MyMassTakeaway for The Baptism of the Lord.

Jesus lined up with the rest of the sinners.

He wasn’t concerned about his image. He wasn’t afraid what other people thought of him.

He didn’t stand up and announce, “Just so you know, guys, I’ve never sinned.”

Jesus was willing to sacrifice his self-image out of love for us, to give us the gift of baptism, to make the waters holy for us.

It can be so hard when we feel others don’t see us for who we are. When they have misperceptions about us.

Sometimes we want to clear our name. We want to defend ourselves.

But in today’s Gospel, we learn that the truth speaks for itself.

All we need to do is remain committed to sacrificing ourselves for love of others. Just keep doing the right thing.

After Jesus’ baptism, God the Father cleared Jesus’ name. He revealed Jesus’ innocence, his divinity, the mystery of the holy Trinity.

At our baptism, God cleared our name, too.

And he continues to clear it with every confession. Just keep lining up with all the other sinners.

Don’t worry about your image. Don’t worry what others think of you.

Get in line to receive God’s mercy, forgiveness, and grace. Then get back to work loving others and loving God.

It’s only his opinion that matters anyway.

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#MyMassTakeaway – Jesus lined up with the rest of the sinners. He wasn't concerned about his image. He wasn't afraid what other people thought of him. He didn't stand up and announce, "Just so you know, guys, I've never sinned." He was willing to sacrifice his self-image out of love for us, to give us the gift of baptism, to make the waters holy for us. It can be so hard when we feel others don't see us for who we are. When they have misperceptions about us. Sometimes we want to clear our name. We want to defend ourselves. But in today's Gospel, we learn that the truth speaks for itself. All we need to do is remain committed to sacrificing ourselves for love of others. Just keep doing the right thing. After Jesus' baptism, God the Father cleared Jesus' name. He revealed Jesus' innocence, his divinity, the mystery of the holy Trinity. At our baptism, God cleared our name. And he continues to clear it with every confession. Just keep lining up with all the other sinners. Don't worry about your image. Don't worry what others think of you. Keep loving others. Keep loving God. It's only his opinion that mayters anyway.

A post shared by Sara Estabrooks (@tojesussincerely) on Jan 13, 2019 at 1:04pm PST

Featured Five Takeaways

spiritual.father

I love when priests evangelize on social media. Fr. Adam contributes his Mass Takeaway, and even provides his homily on SoundCloud!

His message: God is big enough to handle our high expectations, but that doesn’t mean our expectations are always realized.

Check out what Fr. Adam says about handling confounded expectations.

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We all have expectations of God, and that's alright, God is pretty big and can handle it. Problem is our expectations aren't always realized. Listen to CONFOUNDED EXPECTATIONS, my most recent homily in recognition of Sunday's celebration, the Baptism of The Lord. You can find a SoundCloud link in my story or click on featured content on the website. Enjoy! 💛🕯️💛🕯️💛 #CatholicChuch #CatholicCulture #Catholicsofinstagram #joy #RomanCatholic #OraProNobis #SpiritualFather #pray #Catholic #Catholicism #mymasstakeaway #prayer #sacred #beauty #purpose #countermodernism #bissisterhood #prayalong #CatholicFamily

A post shared by Father Adam B. Carrico (@spiritual.father) on Jan 14, 2019 at 7:20pm PST

elarbolmenta

I love my friends over at El Arbol Menta, and that they offer reflections for the Spanish speaking audience.

In their reflection, they talked about the beauty of gifts and charisms. If you don’t know Spanish, just hit the translate button!

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Por varios años, tuve la oportunidad de documentar varios Bautismos. Para mí, era una bendición poder contemplar este sacramento lleno de signos y momentos preciosos. El día de hoy celebramos el "Bautismo del Señor” y durante las lecturas escuchamos como Dios le da su identidad de “Hijo Amado” a Jesús. Tal vez no estamos muy conscientes, pero en cada Bautismo, sucede esto: Dios nos llama por nuestro nombre y nos otorga el privilegio de ser sus hijos amados. El Padre nos preguntó si recordábamos la fecha en que habíamos sido bautizados y pocos levantaron la mano. Fue entonces cuando recordé esos Bautismos en los que parecía más importante la fiesta, un ropón europeo, o los recuerditos traídos desde el viejo continente, que lo que realmente sucedía en ese preciso momento. Dios mismo envía su Santo Espíritu y nos unge para ser: profetas, sacerdotes y servidores de nuestros hermanos. Como bautizados es nuestro deber cumplir nuestra misión a través de nuestros dones y carismas. Que Dios nos conceda la gracia de valorar la importancia del Bautismo y que seamos un templo vivo y digno del Espíritu Santo. Gracias a Denisse C. de Papás entrenando por compartirnos su #MyMassTakeaway #ConquemequededelaMisa #ElÁrbolMenta #SomosCatólicas #CompartiendoIdeas

A post shared by El Árbol Menta (@elarbolmenta) on Jan 14, 2019 at 6:47am PST

underthyroof

Speaking of charisms, Kirby just came back from a retreat on which she discerned her charisms!

She was surprised when her top charism was revealed, but knowing Kirby, I think it was a beautiful fit! Holy Spirit, for the win.

If you want to discern your charisms, check out this quiz. And don’t miss Kirby’s reflection!

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Yesterday I did a retreat called “Joyfully Gifted” about discovering, and understanding, your charism. These are spiritual gifts that each of us have been given to use in the world. The list the retreat uses are based on those spiritual gifts mentioned in St. Paul’s letters to the Corinthians and Ephesians. I glanced at the list when I got there. Maybe Leadership was my gift – I tend to find myself in charge of things, without setting out to become in charge. Maybe knowledge – I collect information like a magpie collects shiny things. I knew what I could probably eliminate: prophecy was a solid “nope”. Intercession was unlikely – I would give my prayers a C grade for effectiveness. I answered the 100 statement inventory. As I was going along and adding up the boxes, I suddenly realized I had a standout category: Prophecy. Whaaaaa I think of prophecy being what Isaiah , Elijah, and all those Old Testament rock stars do – not what a mom of three kids does regularly. But then I looked a little harder at the definition of Prophecy as a charism and considered my life. Do I ever have times when there is a message I need to tell the world and it just bubbles out of me? Yup, that’s a big reason I got so thoroughly unpopular this past summer. Do I ever see the action God desires so clearly that nothing will dissuade me from it’s pursuit? That might be a why my family uses my name as a verb to mean “do what needs to be done, discomfort be damned!” I’m glad I did the inventory. It’s excellent timing as we hear about what kind of radical changes should come because of Jesus in today’s Gospel. Have you ever taken a spiritual gifts/charism inventory? What kind of insights did you find?

A post shared by Kirby Hoberg (@underthyroof) on Jan 13, 2019 at 11:32am PST

ginnykochis

This week, Ginny finds renewed purpose in the vocation of motherhood through remembering her identity as a daughter of the King.

Ginny’s words are always a comfort and inspiration for anyone feeling burdened, overwhelmed, or drained.

You can turn to her for a comrade in difficult times!

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I’m not feeling motherhood, especially the kind in which one parents intensely different kids. I’m touched out. I’m craving quiet and I’m irritable. I’m a too-taut rubber band tingling before the snap. It snowed last night – way more than any of use were expecting. So on top of all of this emotional upheaval I haven’t been able to make it to Mass. Clearly I’m feeling pretty frozen. But clinging to resentment in the face of a vocation that will make me holy doesn’t do me – or anyone – any good. So now I set limits. I create boundaries. I honor not just the children’s needs, but my own. I’m not called to lose myself in a drift of immolation. I’m called to be a daughter of the Beloved Son.

A post shared by Ginny Kochis •Not So Formulaic (@ginnykochis) on Jan 13, 2019 at 9:18am PST

surprisedbymarriage

Jen and Logan share a special moment, when one spouse gives the other a gentle push toward holiness.

It’s important to remember that we’re on this journey together, and to be humble in correction.

Follow them for marriage inspiration – they’re the best!

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At vigil Mass yesterday, I (Jen) was praying after communion when I realized our 2yo and 4yo were being, um, toddler-ish. (That should be a word.) So instead of praying, I’m trying to keep the 2yo from jumping on the 4yo. Logan notices that I’m getting annoyed with the boys, so he leans over to me with a smile and says, “You just received Jesus.” Because yes, I did, and I needed the reminder…and I’m glad Logan chose to say it like that instead of “Slow your roll” or something equally condescending (and less effective). Instead of getting frustrated at Logan too, I was able to smile back and remember that I DID just receive Jesus, and He would give me the necessary graces to be patient with our boys. ▫️ Marriage is full of a million of those moments, where we can berate our spouse and make them feel guilty…or we can choose to gently push them toward holiness. I’m thankful Logan did the latter.

A post shared by Jen & Logan (@surprisedbymarriage) on Jan 13, 2019 at 6:42am PST

What’s Your Takeaway?

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