This Sunday is the Sunday before Epiphany. Epiphany commemorates the baptism of Christ, when the revelation of God was made manifest and the triune God revealed. In today’s Gospel reading from Mark 1, we hear of John the Baptist, who tells us how we must prepare to be saved.

Fr. Paul, in his sermon, echoes the teachings of John the Baptist, emphasizing our need for baptism, repentance, and faith in Jesus, who releases us from our sin. Through these things, we may find true happiness and peace, both in this life and in the life to come.