Mark Jacks

“Have you been saved?” This question invites us to reflect on the profound gift of baptism. For Catholics, salvation begins there, as St. Paul reminds us: “When the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, He saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5-6). Jesus’ own baptism might seem puzzling.

Why would the sinless Son of God receive a baptism for repentance? The answer lies in “recapitulation”—Jesus taking on our broken humanity to restore and renew it. By entering the waters, He sanctified them, imparting the power to cleanse us and unite us to His death and resurrection. His baptism marked the start of His public ministry and His journey toward the Cross.

The story of King Herod and the Magi in Matthew 2:1-12 offers a profound reflection on God’s providence, the universality of Jesus’ mission, and our personal journey of faith. Herod the Great, a ruler with no Jewish heritage, symbolizes political power and cruelty. In response to the Magi’s search for the newborn King, he orders the massacre of infants in Bethlehem. The Magi, priestly figures from the East, follow a star to find Jesus, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts symbolize His kingship, divinity, and future death, inviting us to reflect on what we offer to Christ in our own lives.

The Gospel reveals three key lessons for us. First, God’s providence is at work in history, guiding people and events to fulfill His plan. While humans make choices, God arranges circumstances for His ultimate purpose.

In today’s Gospel, we encounter a rare glimpse into Jesus’ childhood, offering us a profound reflection on both His humanity and divinity. At twelve years old, Jesus stays behind in Jerusalem, engaging with the teachers in the temple. When Mary and Joseph return to find Him, they are understandably confused and anxious. But Jesus responds, “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” This statement reveals His deep understanding of His divine identity—He is the Son of God, with a special relationship to the Father.

This passage highlights the reality that Jesus, though fully divine, was also fully human. He grew in wisdom, age, and favor before God and man, just like any other child. He wasn’t performing miracles or showing off His divine powers; rather, He was simply a young boy learning and growing, living a life free from sin.

Ever wonder why we Catholics honor Mary? You can find the answer in this Sunday’s Gospel reading, which comes from Luke 1:39-45. In the verses immediately preceding this passage (Luke 1:26-38), we hear how the Archangel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would conceive and bear a son. Gabriel also informed Mary that her cousin Elizabeth had conceived a child in her old age. With the Christ child in her womb, Mary sets off to visit her cousin.

When Mary arrives at Elizabeth’s house, Elizabeth, “filled with the Holy Spirit,” exclaims: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”

Gaudete Sunday invites us to embrace a deeper, more profound joy than what the world typically defines as happiness. The word “Gaudete,” meaning “rejoice” in Latin, is a command, not just a suggestion. St. Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, urges us to rejoice always, emphasizing that the reason for this joy is the presence of the Lord. This call to rejoice is not about feeling happy in every moment but recognizing the true source of our joy—God Himself.

Jesus, the Son of God, became human, suffered, and died for our salvation. He offers us a share in His divine life through baptism and the Eucharist. Even when we face suffering and hardship, we are invited to unite our pain with Christ, offering it up as a way to grow in holiness and love for others.

John the Baptist was the last prophet of the Old Testament period and crossed over into the New Testament period as a witness to Jesus. As a prophet, he called out political leaders, but it wasn’t for a new governmental policy or program. Rather, he called one and all to repentance. Whether it was King Herod or the guy down the street, John gained his name by baptizing for the forgiveness of sins.

This world will end one day; moreover, when we die, the end has come for us. Besides, while we have a responsibility to act in the civic-political world, we cannot have a just society if we do not have just people.

What about each one of us? How just and righteous are we? Are we not sinners? What are we willing to do to be closer to Jesus and to become more like Him?

As we begin the season of Advent, we are reminded of what truly matters in life. While we often worry about illness, financial struggles, or the loss of loved ones, the greatest tragedy would be losing our relationship with God and facing eternal separation from Him. In today’s Gospel (Lk 21:25-28, 34-36), Jesus warns of the signs of His return, urging us to stay vigilant and not let the anxieties of daily life dull our hearts. He tells us to “stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” These words remind us that our ultimate hope is in Christ’s return, where all things will be made right.

In today’s world, it’s often said that the quickest way to end a conversation is to bring up politics or religion. Yet, let’s address both because they reveal a deeper truth about our lives. Politics, especially in a democracy like ours, can often highlight the imperfections and injustices in human society—whether it’s the history of slavery, the denial of rights, or the current battles over life and dignity. We may see problems in our own country, but when we look to other forms of government, like communism or dictatorship, we witness even greater suffering. Despite its flaws, democracy offers a glimpse of freedom, but it is far from perfect.

This leads us to a profound question: What would a truly just ruler look like? What if there were a king who was wise, merciful, and self-sacrificial—a ruler who sought not his own good but the good of all people? This is the kind of king we find in Jesus Christ.

The Sunday Gospel from Mark 13:24-32 is a powerful reminder that life as we know it is temporary. Jesus tells us, “The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,” evoking an image of the world winding down, like the fading light at the end of a day. These words might stir unease, but Jesus doesn’t speak of the end to frighten us. Rather, He invites us to live with intention, aware that each day is a gift and an opportunity to prepare for eternity.

As we age, we feel time’s passing more keenly. The energy and seeming endlessness of youth give way to a more sober awareness of life’s limits. Just as the days shorten in fall, we begin to recognize that one day we, too, will stand before Christ. Yet, Jesus tells us that no one knows the “day or the hour”—only the Father.