Sunday, January 12, 2020

The Baptism of the Lord

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 2:16-22
Mass: Is 42:1-4, 6-7; Resp Ps 29; Acts 10:24-38; Mt 3:13-17


The Lord will bless his people with peace.

I HAVE GRASPED YOU BY THE HAND.

Pope Francis baptized 32 children in the Sistine Chapel today! Among other pastoral gems in his homily, the Holy Father told the young families not to worry if their children made a fuss during the ceremonies: "The children aren't used to coming to the Sistine Chapel. It's their first time. If they do start to cry, try to make them comfortable, but don't worry if they keep it up. Children are choral. If one starts making noise, they all join in. Don't get upset. When a child cries in church, it's a beautiful homily"! 😊

Just as Jesus is the Father's beloved Son, we too, reborn by water and the Holy Spirit, know that we are beloved children, the object of the Father's pleasure, brothers and sisters among many other brothers and sisters, entrusted with a grand mission to witness and proclaim the Father's boundless love to all men and women.
(Pope Francis, Angelus Address, January 12, 2020)

Two suggestions for today. First, recall the date of your baptism and if you don't know the date, try to find out. Second, take to heart the fact that through Baptism, you are entrusted with a grand mission. The Lord has grasped you by the hand (Is 42:6) and leads you. What is one way in which you can better "go about doing good" (Acts 10:38) and witness and proclaim the Father's boundless love to all those you meet? We don't have to look far for opportunities. We can start among those with whom we live or work. God is with us. And "God shows no partiality" (Acts 10:34/RB 2:20).

Today's photo: We remember Crosley Jayne Buchner who fell asleep in the Lord on the Baptism of the Lord, last year, January 13, 2019. A powerful intercessor in heaven, Miss Crosley was born on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary 2011 and baptised on the Feast of the Holy Family 2019. We implore all those who have gone before us and ask them to pray for us as we journey to the Lord.

© Gertrude Feick 2020

No comments:

Post a Comment