Baptism of the Lord, Cycle A

Fray Hubert Dunstan Decena, OAR•January 8, 2020

Is 42:1-4, 6-7; Acts 10:34-38; Mt 3:13-17

The first thing that comes to mind when we consider this feast, is the question, “Why does Jesus have to be baptized?” Even John the Baptist asked that same question: “I ought to be baptized by you and yet you come to me?” The answer of Jesus was, “… it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Here “righteousness” refers to the decree of the Father concerning Jesus’ work for our salvation: that Jesus is to be like us in everything except sin. He undergoes baptism because he would require it for all his followers: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” (Mt 28:19). He goes to the Jordan River not to be cleansed by its waters, but to sanctify the waters for our baptism. When in the time of Noah the world was full of sin, God cleansed it by water, so now Jesus decrees that the water is to cleanse all his disciples in the Name of the Blessed Trinity. At the moment of creation the ruah YHWH was hovering over the waters to effect the creation of beings, so now the Spirit hovers over the humanity of Jesus to effect the new man in all the baptized as a new creation. In our first reading (Is 42:1) the Lord says, “Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my Spirit.” Again, in the second reading (Acts 10:38) Peter declared, “… after the baptism…God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power.” The water and the Sprit hovering over the humanity of Jesus was a preparation for our own baptism, the water and the Spirit on our humanity cleansing us of sin and incorporating us into Jesus. In the Gospel we read, “The heavens were opened.” St. Mark would say, “The heavens were rent,” (napunit), which is more meaningful. When we say “opened” it can be closed; but when it is “rent” (napunit) there is no closing, it will remain open and there will always be a passage between heaven and earth. Therefore, from the time Jesus was baptized, the stairway between heaven and earth has always been accessible, there was always an opening for grace to flow upon us and our prayers to go up to the throne of God. Then the voice of the Father is heard, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” This voice we hear again at the Transfiguration where clearly Jesus manifested his divinity. God the Father himself claimed Jesus as His Son. (It must be noted that, even today, enemies of the Catholic Church claim that the Gospels do not claim that Jesus is God.) Clearly, two times in the Gospel God the Father claimed that Jesus is his Son. Then we note that in this event the Spirit of God manifested himself physically in the form of a dove. God showed himself clearly as the Blessed Trinity: the Father in the Voice, the Son in the human Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove, all three perceptible to the senses. Notice how God condescended to our human nature, to be perceived by us in our human way.

In summary, first, we noted that the baptism of Jesus was in preparation for our own baptism; second, that the heavens have been opened for the communion between heaven and earth; and third, God revealed himself to us as Three Persons in One God. This event of the Lord’s baptism is, therefore, meaningful for our faith.

Contemplate: The Father says those words: “You are my beloved son/ daughter” over you, what feelings do they evoke in you? Would you prostrate in adoration, love and gratitude?

Fray Hubert Dunstan Decena, OAR

Priest/Religious/Bible Professor of the Order of Augustinian Recollects in the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno.

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< 2023 >

May

S	M	Tu	W	Th	F	S
	1 All day May 1, 2023 DAY OF THE RELIGIOUS BROTHERS ENCOUNTERS IN FORMATION Via Zoom Conferencing Inclusive Dates: May 1-15, 2023 (Attention: Friars assigned in the seminaries and vocation promoters) BIRTHDAY Sis. Evelyn Leongas, SAR (Antipolo Chapter) ANNIVERSARY OF SIMPLE PROFESSION (2010-2023) Fray Mark Ryan Prado DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sis. Mamerta Filipino, SAR (Cebu Chapter)	2 All day May 2, 2023 BIRTHDAY Sis. Monica Legaspi, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Sis. Teresita Castro, SAR (Urbiztondo Chapter) ANNIVERSARY OF SIMPLE PROFESSION (2009-2023) Fray Jose Prudencio Castillo Fray Hector Gonzales Fray Giovanni Gil Magbojos Fray Alexus Mansueto Fray Joseph Cyprian Panaligan Fray Jess Marco Sanchez (2015-2023) Fray Virgilio Calalang, Jr. Fray Julius James Tinapao Fray Cristito Rey Tepace DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Margarita Ponce, AR +Sis. Eulalia Kabajar, SAR (Cebu Chapter)	3 All day May 3, 2023 PART 2 (COLLOQUIA ON OAR CHARISM) via Zoom Conferencing / Sponsored by REAP BIRTHDAY Fray Roland Cepe Fray Invenzor Melgazo Sr. Myrna Gimena, AR Sis. Alejandra Arnaiz, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Sis. Jovencia Savilla, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Bro. Samuel Pascua, SAR (Cebu Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Ma. Felicitas Lucinario, AR +Sis. Lourdes Tupas, SAR (Provincialate Chapter)	4 All day May 4, 2023 PRAYER INTENTION: FOR VOCATIONS BIRTHDAY Sis. Elvira Ignacio, SAR (Provincialate Chapter) Sis. Lydia Rivera, SAR (Tondo Chapter) Sis. Jasmin Parreño, SAR (Bacolod Chapter) ANNIVERSARY OF SIMPLE PROFESSION (1991-2023) Fray Sixto Bitangjol Fray Reynaldo Jaranilla Fray Antonio Zabala, Jr. (2008-2023) Fray Ken Oliver Lao DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sis. Maria Abellanosa, SAR (Cebu Chapter) +Bro. Remedio Alugar, SAR (Cebu Chapter)	5 All day May 5, 2023 BIRTHDAY Br. Don Carlos Fernandez (postulant) Sr. Araceli de Vera, AR Sis. Dalia Santos, SAR (Tondo Chapter) Sis. Myrna Montejo, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Bro. Danielito David Diesta, SAR (Manila Chapter) Ronald Capulong (RAY-Urbiztondo)	6 All day May 6, 2023 BIRTHDAY Sis. Bendicta Rodriguez, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Sis. Ma. Libbie Badenas (Brooke’s Point Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Angustias del Divino Amor, AR
7 All day May 7, 2023 5TH SUNDAY OF EASTER BIRTHDAY Fray Leopoldo Estioko Bro. Elmar Malvar, SAR (Manila Chapter) Sis. Julieta Liagao, SAR (Baguio Chapter) Sis. Urbana Panit, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Nathaniel Jade Riego (RAY-Cavite) Lourdes Isabella Corpuz (RAY-Cebu)	8 All day May 8, 2023 PRIOR GENERAL’S FRATERNAL VISIT TO PANAMA Inclusive Dates: May 8-23 BIRTHDAY Most Rev. Reynaldo Evangelista, D.D. (Diocese of Imus) Fray Dionisio Cachero Bro. Wilson Sy, SAR (Baguio Chapter) Sis. Victoria Baluran, SAR (Miranila Chapter) Sis. Erlinda Reyes, SAR (Tondo Chapter) Sis. Gloria Arroyo, SAR (Manila Chapter) Sis. Fe Violeta Taring, SAR (Valencia Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Bro. Norberto Vingson, SAR (Talisay Chapter)	9 All day May 9, 2023 BIRTHDAY Sis. Teresita Caballero, SAR (Baguio Chapter) Sis. Alain Gallego, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Sis. Gina Fernandez, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Kenneleen Slam Alvarado (RAY-Talisay) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Bro. Fortunato de la Rosa, SAR (Miranila Chapter) +Bro. Alfredo Panelo, SAR (Baguio Chapter) +Sis. Isabel Ursal, SAR (Cebu Chapter)	10 All day May 10, 2023-May 11, 2023 BIRTHDAY Sr. Ma. Elisa Cañete, AR DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Bro. Rodolfo Dayag, SAR (Manila Chapter) +Sis. Andrea Sonsona, SAR (Cebu Chapter)	11 All day May 11, 2023 BIRTHDAY Sis. Sylvia Selda, SAR (Miranila Chapter) Sis. Lonie Silang, SAR (Manila Chapter) Sis. Soledad Pacita Requiena, SAR (Cebu Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Ma. Restituta Torres, AR +Sis. Emerencia Espeña, SAR (Manila Chapter) +Sis. Letecia Alemania, SAR (Manila Chapter) +Sis. Luz Kilayko, SAR (Talisay Chapter)	12 All day May 12, 2023 417TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARRIVAL OF PIONEER RECOLLECTS IN THE PHILIPPINES (1606-2023) BIRTHDAY Fray Joseph Granada Sis. Lilibeth Layumas, SAR (San Carlos Chapter) Sis. Josefina Lanase, SAR (Talisay Chapter) Sis. Erlinda Blancia, SAR (Talisay Chapter) Sis. Loreta De Castro, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Lido Cerna (RAY-Miranila) ANNIVERSARY OF SIMPLE PROFESSION (2007-2023) Fray James Castelo Fray Ralph Laureen Ciceron Fray Invenzor Melgazo Fray Nestor Raras Fray Rellyric Delos Santos DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Eduviges de la Virgen del Carmen, AR +Sr. Amanda de la Virgen del Carmen, AR +Sr. Paz Reandelar, AR +Bro. Manuel Magalona, SAR (Manila Chapter)	13 12:22 PM May 13, 2023 8TH FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY (2015-2023) OF RECOLETOS DE TAMBO COMMUNITY PRESBYTERAL ORDINATION OF FR. ROBERTO CARLOS ALVARADO RAMÍREZ, OAR (Province of San Nicolas de Tolentino) EPISCOPAL ORDINATION OF MOST REV. BOB JOHN KOROMA, D.D. (new Bishop of Makeni, Sierra Leone) BIRTHDAY Fray Jayferson Baldelovar Sr. Ma. Gracelda Bendoval, AR Sr. Loraine Lechago, OAR (Bacolod Monastery) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sis. Aurora Sison, SAR (Miranila Chapter) +Sis. Lucrecia de la Cerna, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
14 All day May 14, 2023 6TH SUNDAY OF EASTER INSTALLATION OF MOST REV. BOB JOHN KOROMA AS BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF MAKENI (Sierra Leone) BIRTHDAY Sis. Lina Guevara, SAR (Antipolo Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Nicolasa del Espiritu Santo, AR +Sr. Escolastica Calsado, AR +Sr. Natalia Paunil, AR +Mo. Ma. Bibiana Vendiola, AR +Sis. Bonifacia Ancajas, SAR (Cebu Chapter)	15 All day May 15, 2023 PATRONAL FIESTA – SAN ISIDRO LABRADOR PARISH, CASIAN ISLAND, TAYTAY, PALAWAN BIRTHDAY Bro. Isidore Vincent Adolfo, SAR (Bacolod Chapter) Sis. Mildred Mutia, SAR (Brooke’s Point Chapter) Sis. Corazon Treyes, SAR (Talisay Chapter) Ma. Señora Agbuya (RAY-Urbiztondo) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Gertrudes del Espiritu Santo, AR +Sis. Remedios Querubin, SAR (Manila Chapter) +Sis. Belen Rigonan, SAR (Manila Chapter) +Sis. Rosario Amores, SAR (Cebu Chapter) +Sis. Concordia Dalugdugan, SAR (Antipolo Chapter)	16 All day May 16, 2023 14TH FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY (2009-2023) OF RECOLETOS DE CASIAN COMMUNITY BIRTHDAY Sis. Marilou Labrador, SAR (San Carlos Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Ma. Gracia Pil, AR +Sis. Ma. Aurora Hong, SAR (Provincialate Chapter)	17 All day May 17, 2023 BIRTHDAY Sr. Trezsia Agpaoa, AR Sis. Glenda Arañez, SAR (San Carlos Chapter) Sis. Margarita Parro (Miranila Chapter) Mark Lorenzo Negre (RAY-Talisay) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Lucina Cabili, AR +Sis. Gliceria Enriquez, SAR (Cebu Chapter) +Sis. Clarita Matanoza, SAR (Cebu Chapter)	18 All day May 18, 2023 BIRTHDAY Sis. Precilla Loor, SAR (Cavite Chapter) Sis. Erlinda Mababangloob, SAR (Tondo Chapter) Sis. Mildred Carlos, SAR (Inagawan Chapter) Ella Jabagat (RAY-Talisay) Rose Ann Dag-um (RAY-Provincialate) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Prudencia Martinez, AR	19 All day May 19, 2023 PRAYER INTENTION: FOR THE SICK BIRTHDAY Br. Nigel Cabigon (aspirant) Sr. Ma. Cecilia Bongcawel, AR Bro. Sergio Javillo, SAR (Miranila Chapter) Sis. Lolita Caabay, SAR (Brooke’s Point Chapter) En Sueno (RAY-Miranila) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Paula de la Purisima Concepcion, AR +Sis. Juliet Tano, SAR (Valencia Chapter)	20 All day May 20, 2023 BIRTHDAY Fray Don Besana Sis. Evelyn Abutin, SAR (Miranila Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Dolores Cañeda, AR +Sis. Andrea Rabillas, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
21 All day May 21, 2023 ASCENSION FIESTA – OUR LADY OF PEACE AND GOOD VOYAGE PARISH, TONDO BIRTHDAY Br. Christian Joseph Codilla (aspirant) Sr. Victoria Sandiego, AR Sr. Sulpicia Geronimo, AR Sr. Cynthia Camuta, AR Sis. Virginia Cosca, SAR (Manila Chapter) Sis. Vicenta Abanggan, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Mary Ann Cayabyab (RAY-Urbiztondo) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Bro. Francisco Pacabis, SAR (Laray Chapter) +Sis. Celerina Velarde, SAR (Cebu Chapter)	22 All day May 22, 2023 SECTION FOR VOCATIONS MINISTRY SUMMER WORKSHOP FOR LVPs Inclusive Dates: May 22-23 Venue: University of Negros-Occidental, Bacolod City BIRTHDAY Br. Alvin Laserna Jr. (postulant) Sr. Ma. Emy Catalonia, OAR Sr. Ma. Quiteria Ragundiaz, OAR Sis. Encarnacion Campomanes, SAR (Cebu Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sis. Potenciana Gomez, SAR (Cebu Chapter) +Sis. Estela Taburada, SAR (Manila Chapter)	23 All day May 23, 2023 PRIOR GENERAL’S FRATERNAL VISIT TO CUBA Inclusive dates: May 23-30 BIRTHDAY Bro. Antonio Diesta, SAR (Manila Chapter) Sis. Desideria Quinto, SAR (Cavite Chapter) Sis. Epetecia Tonggoy, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Sis. Alita Garcia, SAR (Miranila Chapter) Sis. Carmelina Villasor, SAR (San Carlos Chapter) Sis. Anna Cristina Sta. Marina, SAR (Manila Chapter) Sis. Marites Regala (Miranila Chapter) Sis. Elizabeth Guzman, SAR (Antipolo Chapter) Bro. Fernando Antonio Francisco, SAR (Miranila Chapter / Trial) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Caridad de la Virgen del Rosario, AR +Sis. Eva Sy, SAR (Cebu Chapter)	24 All day May 24, 2023 DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH IN CHINA USG (UNION OF SUPERIORS GENERAL) ASSEMBLY Rome / May 24-26 BIRTHDAY Sr. Justina de Leon, AR Sr. Vicenta Climacosa, AR Bro. Jose Ely Honrado, SAR (Provincialate Chapter) Christine Salabsab (RAY-Laray) ANNIVERSARY OF SIMPLE PROFESSION (1986-2023) Fray Eduardo Celiz, Jr. Fray Emilio Edgardo Quilatan DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sis. Dulcessima Arellano, SAR (Cebu Chapter)	25 All day May 25, 2023 61st ANNIVERSARY OF UNO-R, BACOLOD 38th FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY (1985-2023) OF THE RECOLETOS DE MIRANILA COMMUNITY BIRTHDAY Sr. Ma. Nicholasa Sabado, AR Sr. Christine Gay Peñarejo, AR Sis. Milagros Santos, SAR (Urbiztondo Chapter) Sis. Annabella Buhayan, SAR (Laray Chapter / Trial) Ella Aiza Jabagat (RAY-Talisay) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Ma. Auxiliadora Somosot, AR +Sis. Virginia Auman, SAR (San Carlos Chapter)	26 All day May 26, 2023 BIRTHDAY Sr. Avelina Tatel, AR Sis. Leah Espacio, SAR (Talisay Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Angustias Librea, AR +Bro. Norberto Tancino, SAR (Cebu Chapter) +Sis. Camila Puyat, SAR (Cebu Chapter) +Sis. Dolores Nipales, SAR (Talisay Chapter)	27 All day May 27, 2023 BIRTHDAY Sr. Alfreda Lobitaña, AR Sis. Menchie Bautista, SAR (Manila Chapter) Sis. Corazon Miranda, SAR (Cavite Chapter) Sis. Erlinda de Guzman, SAR (Tondo Chapter) Sis. Milagros Comahig, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Sis. Jocelyn Nengasca, SAR (Manila Chapter) Sis. Julita Asubar, SAR (Cebu Chapter) Sis. Maila de Rivera (Baguio Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sis. Albina Panelo, SAR (Baguio Chapter)
28 All day May 28, 2023 PENTECOST 57th WORLD DAY OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS Theme: Speak with the heart ‘The truth in love’ (Eph 4:15) PRAYER INTENTION: FOR THE MISSIONS WORLD DAY OF HUNGER CARES, BAGUIO: TRANSITIO ET FORMATIO / COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES 2:00 PM BIRTHDAY Sr. Emilia Buenaseda, AR Sis. Delia Española, SAR (Provincialate Chapter) Sis. Jean Blanco, SAR (San Carlos Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Ma. Carmen Bolaños, AR +Sis. Esmeralda Degamo, SAR (Cebu Chapter)	29 All day May 29, 2023 BIRTHDAY Sr. Ma. Salome Paderogo, AR Sis. Elsa Claver, SAR (Talisay Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Ma. Leontina Mira, AR	30 All day May 30, 2023 BIRTHDAY Fray Cristituto Rey Tepace Sis. Josefina Parentela, SAR (Manila Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Sr. Teresita Salada, AR	31 All day May 31, 2023 FEAST OF THE VISITATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY PATRONAL FIESTA OF OUR LADY OF THE VISITATION PARISH (Pasibi East, Urbiztondo, Pangasinan) Fiesta Mass: 5:00 p.m. Presider & Homilist: Most Rev. Socrates Villegas, D.D. Other Activities: 8:00 a.m.: First Communion 9:00 a.m.: Sport Fest: Basketball and Volleyball (Recoletos Friars vs Lingayen-Dagupan Clergy; OAR Seminarians vs Parish Youth) 4:00 p.m.: Procession of Sagalas 7:00 p.m.: Street dancing BIRTHDAY Br. Nestor Lloren Jr. (postulant) Sis. Priscilla Salazar, SAR (Provincialate Chapter) DEATH ANNIVERSARY +Bro. Almario de la Cerna, SAR (Cebu Chapter)

Baptism of the Lord, Cycle A

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Fray Hubert Dunstan Decena, OAR

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