Dearest friends,
At first glance, the baptism of Jesus seems unnecessary. John’s baptism was for repentance, yet Jesus stands in the Jordan with sinners, shoulder to shoulder with those seeking mercy. This is not a mistake to be explained away; it is a revelation to be received. Here, at the very beginning of his public ministry, Jesus shows us what God is like.
He does not save us from a distance. He enters fully into the waters of our human condition – confusion, weakness, longing, and hope. Jesus does not need cleansing, yet he chooses solidarity. He steps into the river not to be made holy, but to make the waters holy, and with them, all of human life.
As Jesus emerges from the Jordan, the heavens are torn open. The Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father’s voice is heard: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” This is not only about Jesus. It is a promise spoken over all who are baptised into him. Before Jesus preaches a sermon, performs a miracle, or walks the road to the cross, he is named as beloved. Identity comes before achievement. Love comes before effort.
Our baptism draws us into this same relationship. We are not baptised into perfection, but into belonging. We are claimed, named, and sent. The waters of baptism do not remove all struggle, but they tell us who we are when life becomes difficult.
Today, the Church invites us to remember our baptism – to live not as people striving to earn God’s love, but as sons and daughters already held within it.
Fr. Matthew
Notices
Planning Meeting
Please put 15th January, 7pm in your diary for our termly planning meeting. We’ll review Advent and Christmas and will plan the term ahead, including Easter. If you would like to see something or change something, come and say!
Lent Course
Our Lent Course this year will be “Bread of Life’ – a six-week look at the Eucharist and why it forms the model of a good Christian Life. It’s great if you want to know WHY we do certain things at mass, and WHY they are important to your life everyday, not just Sundays. Starts 19th February, 2026
Dates for next year
I’m starting to populate dates for the coming year, you’ll see I’ve added some longer-term dates for the Oswestry events – the pilgrimage, the Chrism Mass, and the Regional Festival – do pop them in your diary now.
History of the Anglo-Catholic Movement, Talk in Exeter.
The Devonshire Association History Section is delighted that Father Matthew is to give a talk at our AGM on ‘The Anglo-Catholic Movement in England and how Devon plays a distinctive role’.
This is to take place on Monday 26 January at the MINT Methodist Church Centre, Fore Street, Exeter starting at 2 pm.
The Committee extends a very warm invitation to anyone who wishes to attend. Entrance is free for members and £5 for non-members of the Association and the AGM business will be short. Father Matthew’s talk will be followed by tea and biscuits and the event will finish about 4 pm. More information about the Association can be found on our website: www.devonassoc.org.uk
Sunday 11th January
The Baptism of the Lord
9am – Sung Parish Mass [SJ]
11:15am – Sung Parish Mass [SL]
Psalter Week 1, A(II), Epiphany 1
Upcoming Dates
January
15th – Joint Planning Meeting for Spring & Easter, 7pm [SL]
17th – Table Top Sale [WH]
24th – Rosary Group, 10am [SL]
26th – History of the Anglo Catholics Talk, 2pm (Exeter)
Further Ahead
19/2 – Lent Course Starts, 6 weeks, 7pm [WH]
26/3 – Oswestry Chrism Mass, Exeter Cathedral
25/4 – Oswestry Regional Festival, Truro Cathedral
5/9 – Glastonbury Pilgrimage
Table Top Sale at Wickham Hall every 3rd Saturday at 10am.
St. Luke’s Women’s Group meets first Wednesday of every month.
[SJ] St. John’s | [SL] St. Luke’s | [WH] Wickham Hall
[SC] St. Catherine’s School