From Jordan’s Waters to Eternal Life: Living Christ’s Command of Love
Fr. Hugh Gillespie, SMM
From Jordan’s Waters to Eternal Life: Living Christ’s Command of Love
The Homily weaves together the Gospel command of Christ . . .
. . . to “love one another as I have loved you” with the biblical symbolism of the Jordan River, the sacrament of Baptism, the Eucharist, and the witness of St. Maximilian Kolbe.
The crossing of the Jordan foreshadowed baptism, where Christ consecrated the waters to grant eternal life. Baptism is not merely symbolic but transforms us into sharers of Christ’s death and resurrection, directing us toward our eternal homeland.
The Eucharist deepens this call, reminding us that love means self-giving. St. Maximilian Kolbe embodies this truth, freely offering his life in place of another at Auschwitz, living out Christ’s command of sacrificial love.
The newly consecrated tabernacle at the shrine thus becomes a profound sign of Christ’s abiding presence, love, and the command to imitate Him.
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From Jordan’s Waters to Eternal Life: Living Christ’s Command of Love
The Baptism of Christ: Italian painter: Paris Paschalinus Bordone: 1535-1540
The painting resides at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
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From Jordan’s Waters to Eternal Life: Living Christ’s Command of Love
