Dominican Friars
Province of St. Albert the Great, USA

A Word of Hope

11 January • The Mystery of Jesus's Baptism & Our Spiritual Rebirth

A Word of Hope

Join Father Samuel Hakeem, OP for "A Word of Hope" as he reflects on the profound and often surprising Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Why did Jesus, who was without sin and in perfect relationship with God, choose to be baptized?

In this insightful message, Fr. Samuel explores the deeper meaning behind Christ's baptism, explaining how it not only shows us the path to a new covenant but also profoundly sanctifies the entire world through the very waters of baptism. Discover the beauty of the sacramental life and how tangible elements like water convey intangible grace, leading to our spiritual rebirth.

Learn why the Christmas season culminates with this significant feast, reminding us of the incredible gift of our own baptism – a rebirth in grace and the indwelling of the Holy Trinity. Take a moment to give thanks for this divine gift!

What you'll learn in this video:
  The unexpected nature of Jesus's baptism despite being sinless.
  The dual purpose of baptism: for forgiveness of sins and initiating a relationship with God.
  How Jesus's baptism sanctifies the waters of the world, making them a source of grace.
  The significance of tangible sacraments in receiving spiritual grace.
  Why the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord marks the end of the Christmas season.
  A powerful reminder of your own spiritual rebirth through baptism.

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Video Timeline:
0:00 - Introduction & A Snowy Albuquerque Setting
0:50 - The Surprising Feast: Why Was Jesus Baptized?
1:05 - What is Baptism For? (Forgiveness & Relationship with God)
1:31 - The Mystery: Jesus Has No Sin, Yet is Baptized
1:57 - Two Key Reasons for Jesus's Baptism
2:21 - How Jesus's Baptism Sanctifies the World
2:52 - The Beauty of Sacramental Life: Tangible Grace
3:26 - Why the Christmas Season Ends with the Baptism of the Lord
3:41 - Our Rebirth in Grace Through Baptism
3:59 - A Call to Give Thanks for Your Baptism
4:12 - Closing Remarks & Merry Christmas!

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A Word of Hope with dove

Every day the Chicago Dominicans offer "A Word of Hope" video to bolster our faith through these trying times. We welcome any feedback you have at hope@opcentral.org . You can see them all below, or you can see other preaching by a particular person by clicking on his name, and you can have them emailed to you each morning by signing up for our email service:

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    A Word of Hope for July 19, 2023

    God called Moses in the Burning Bush and challenged Moses to trust that he would accomplish all that God wanted. In the same way, Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP asks us to trust God first, knowing that we might not get an affirmation that we are on the right path until our work for God is completed.
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    A Word of Hope for July 18, 2023

    Jesus said "woe to you" to those who witnessed his great deeds but did not heed them, so Fr. James Marchionda, OP reminds us to pay attention to the great deeds that people are doing around us each day, because these loving and often heroic actions of individuals are a living sign of our loving God.
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    A Word of Hope for July 13, 2023

    Joseph (of "The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat") was sold into slavery by his brothers, but when the tables were turned and they were in need, he forgave them. Jesus sent out the disciples telling them to take nothing with them, no sack nor extra pair of sandals. Fr. Brendan Curran, OP reminds us that we all tend to carry around a lot of baggage that we need to put down if we are do the Lord's work, and we particularly need to learn to forgive one another.
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    A Word of Hope for July 11, 2023

    In today's Gospel, we see Jesus caring for those who are suffering, because they are like sheep without a shepherd. Fr. Yamil Samalot Rivera, OP points out that Jesus wants to do something new to help them, and asks us if we are open to God working in new ways to heal the brokenhearted today?
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    A Word of Hope for July 10, 2023

    Fr. James Marchionda, OP advises us to take our troubles to God in prayer. God will answer them. Even if we do not get an answer just as we expected, but we will know that God is with us, helping. So bring your burdens to the Lord.
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    A Word of Hope for July 9, 2023

    Jesus tells us, "Come to me all who labor, and I will give you rest." Fr. Jim Marchionda, OP explains that Jesus does not promise to take away our burdens, but to lighten them. Our burdens might remain, but they will feel lighter with the help of Jesus.
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    A Word of Hope for July 7, 2023

    Speaking of the call of the apostle Matthew, Br. Ed Van Merrienboer, OP notes how God sees talent in us all that we don't see, and God trusts us and calls us forth to use these hidden talents for the sake of the Kingdom.
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    A Word of Hope for July 6, 2023

    When Jesus forgives the sins of a lame man, people suspect that these are just empty words—and so he tells the man to pick up his mat and walk, to prove to them that they are not. Thus, Fr. Brian Walker, OP challenges us—do we think Jesus' promises are empty, or are we truly moved by them?
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    A Word of Hope for July 2, 2023

    Echoing the words of Jesus, Fr. James Marchionda, OP challenges us to love God as much as we love our own family (love God more, not your family less), and to carry the cross of Jesus even as we deal with the others crosses that life gives us.
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    A Word of Hope for June 29, 2023

    On the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Br. Joe Trout, OP notes that these great apostles were not perfect people, yet in leading the Church they brought us closer to God. In the same way, we should not demand perfection from our current leaders, but should expect them to lead us all towards God.
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