Gospel of Life

It was on the dignity of human life.

It's important to understand that human life is sacred and has great dignity because it has a eternal destiny. Taking innocent human life, as in abortion, is gravely disordered. Human life should be protected.

Conversion is key. Asking God to free us from our hesitancy or reluctance to accept the good news of the dignity of the human person helps. This is especially true for women who have had abortions. They are in our prayers. (cf. Evang.Vit. 99) Circumstances influence decisions, and they may still have the wound. What they did was wrong, but giving over to repentance and entrusting their child to the Father of mercies will help them a ton. They can be the strongest of proponents of the dignity of life.

Witnessing is an imperative. First by having children, a natural way to witness. By appreciating adoption. By speaking up in public. Going to the March which is a source solidarity and encouragement.

Baptism

It was an elementary catechesis on Baptism. It worked out because that theme was dominant in the Gospel. Also, there were twins to be baptized during the Mass right after the homily. So there was a nice Audio-visual.
I started with the image of Goofy immersed in Jello. If we plunged into jello we'd turn red, end up really sticky, and smell like cherry for a few weeks. When we're plunged into the Holy Spirit in baptism, that never goes away.
I told them that they can baptize in emergency situations. That baptism makes us children of God. That it wipes away original sin. That it makes us part of a priestly people.

Nothing. I was out of town.

Vacation was nice. But I can also say that I have never preached on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord—that I can remember. I've always been out of town.
That's the way the cookie crumbles.

Epiphany

The universal, worthy and compelling nature of The Epiphany of the Lord.
"Universal" in that he was made manifest to the whole world. Our Lord's coming is not a 'private revelation.'
It's "Worthiness" is reflected in the gifts: Gold for his royalty, incense for his divinity, and myrrh for his saving death.
"Compelling" in that it beckons us to come to worship, no matter how far away we are. At the same time Herod rejected him.