We are baptized “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19). To be baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire is to be baptized with the purifying fire of divine love coming from the Lord. As brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, we are all beloved sons and daughters of God. And the question is what are the obstacles preventing me from doing so?

In today’s gospel, we are all reminded again of the extra ordinary truth that God- who is transcended above and beyond all of creation and who is the source of all being- has become one like us and in every way except sin. As we give thanks for the grace that has been revealed to us in the Christmas days, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is also a time for us to reflect on the gift of our own baptism. Most of us were baptized when we were infants and we do not remember the event, itself. And yet, no matter what age we were baptized, still has the same effects – cleansing of sin, imparting of grace, giving of the Holy Spirit, adoption as a child of God and member of the Church. In our baptism, we have been united with Christ and have been lifted up above our broken humanity and become sharers in God’s divine nature. Each of us has the opportunity to grow into our baptismal belongingness to Jesus Christ and to His Church. Baptism begins our covenant relationship with God.

The gift of Baptism is the first step in a lifelong process of putting the Lord Jesus Christ into our lives amidst the pain and suffering we encounter. It is but the first step in a lifelong process of becoming like Jesus and of becoming Christian. In all our efforts of becoming a true Christian, we are not alone. Jesus asks nothing of us without giving us strength in the form of His grace, through the spirit of life that He breathed into us at baptism and the Lord remains ever present.

As we prepare to begin the ordinary time, take time today to thank God for the gift of baptism and reflect on the importance of our own baptism. Hear the father speaking to us about the divinity of His Son. Invest time and energy in relationship with God and God and ask for His grace to help us grown closer to Him. We pray that we may find a new appreciation for the gift of Baptism and it may strengthen our appreciation for our parents, our faith and for the love God has for us. We are children of God. May we also claim the voice of God our Father to be ours who said to Jesus, “you are my beloved Son (daughter); with you I am well pleased.” Amen.

                                          -m’jdm

Source: Neo Jeremiah Voice of the Young Prophet Newsletter January 13, 2019 issue.