St. James' Church Bushypark Galway

Into the water of the Jordan Jesus descended, as he descended from heaven to earth, as he would later descend to the underworld; he entered fully into the depths of the river, into the depths of humanity, into everything that is human and then he heard the words of God, You are my Son, the Beloved.

A big moment for Jesus, a moment when he knew God was with him, that he was loved and was on the path of God. Moments like when we knew we were loved by God, on a mountain walk, a stroll by the sea, a time of prayer, a conversation with a friend, a time when we knew we were helping someone, times when we have plunged into the depths and discovered God.

Moments like illness and bereavement, anxiety about a child or parent, staying with someone in times of trouble: then we have discovered something not always seen or heard, a faith born from the depths of our human experience that we are truly sons and daughters of God.

In entering human life fully we find the presence of the Divine, for all that is human is created by God, and in human love and compassion, endurance and care, we find God’s dwelling place, and we know our home is with him.