Father Chris Alar, MIC explains why the Baptism of the Lord stands at the heart of the Church’s liturgical year. What began at Christmas with the revelation of Christ’s humanity now culminates in the public manifestation of His divinity. At the Jordan, the Father’s voice is heard, the Spirit descends, and Jesus is revealed as the beloved Son (ref. Mt 3:16–17).

In Revelation 12, Scripture presents a woman “clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars” (Rev 12:1). As Fr. Chris explains, this image points unmistakably to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her heavenly glory reveals the one chosen by God to bear Christ, the King who “is to rule all the nations” (Rev 12:5). Yet confusion arises when the passage speaks of her crying out in pain. These are not physical labor pains from the birth of Jesus.

Does God want us to make a specific choice for each decision in our life? If so, how do we know what that choice should be? How do we know when we want something if it is our will or God's will? Join Fr. Chris Alar as he explains the importance of spiritual direction and how we can know what God wants us to do and how to find peace in our decisions.