On the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we witness the quiet but decisive beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. Before He teaches, heals, or gathers disciples, Jesus enters the waters of the Jordan. There, the Father speaks words of identity: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Only after Jesus receives this affirmation does He step forward in mission.
This order matters. Identity always precedes mission.
The same is true for us. Through baptism, we are claimed by God, rooted in belonging, and loved before we are ever asked to do anything. When mission flows from identity, it becomes joyful, life-giving, and sustainable. When that order is reversed when we focus on activity before grounding ourselves in who we are we can find ourselves busy, tired, or even discouraged. The Lord invites us instead to begin where Jesus begins: by listening first.
Over the past year, our parish has been doing just that. Through the Disciple Maker Index (DMI) survey and the Spiritual Gifts Seminar, we have been listening attentively for what God may be revealing about who we are as a parish and where we are being called to grow.
The DMI survey helped us name both strengths and opportunities. Among the strongest themes that emerged were a deep desire for connection, belonging, and welcome. Parishioners expressed a longing not simply to attend Mass, but to feel known, invited, and engaged in the life of the community. At the same time, the survey pointed to a shared hunger for clearer pathways into involvement and discipleship.
The Spiritual Gifts Seminar gave further clarity. Many parishioners discovered gifts oriented toward relationship, encouragement, service, and presence gifts that create space for others to feel seen and at home. Taken together, these insights have helped us recognize something important: hospitality is not just something we do well; it is becoming a defining charism of our parish.
Charism is not a strategy or a committee. It is the particular way the Holy Spirit animates a community for the good of others. Our growing awareness of hospitality as a charism is not about adding more programs. It is about allowing who we already are in Christ to shape how we welcome, accompany, and serve.
On this feast, we are invited to reflect:
- Who does God say we are?
- And from that place of identity, where is God gently sending us?
As Jesus emerged from the waters ready for mission, may we continue to emerge rooted in our baptismal identity, attentive to the Spirit, and confident that the Lord is already at work among us.
Your Servant in Christ,
Father Jason C. Hage, Pastor
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us!
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!
Mary, Mother of Our Savior, pray for us!