BAPTISM, NEW LIFE OF GRACE ~ CookingFood.Org

“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”

Monday, 2^nd January 2017,

Week before Epiphany

Memorial of Sts. Basil and Gregory Nazianzen,

Bishops and Doctors of the Church

1Jn 2:22-28;

Ps 98: 1-4;

Jn 1:19-28

BAPTISM, NEW LIFE OF GRACE

John the Baptist is alive! He’s alive in his ongoing proclamation, calling us to repentance and calling us to prepare the way for the Lord in our lives. His message is just as relevant for us today as it was some 2,000 years ago. At the time he walked the earth, he preached so as to prepare the immediate way for Christ. He prepared the way for the Messiah to physically enter into our world and present us with the gift of eternal salvation. But St. John continues to prepare the way for the Lord, if we are willing to listen. We follow his call when we humbly admit the sins which get in the way of Jesus coming to us and transforming our lives.

The baptism of John was different from the baptism of Jesus. John’s baptism was simply a sign of repentance. Jesus’ baptism was a sacrament of rebirth. John’s baptism signified the repentance from an old life of sin. Jesus’ baptism signified the reception of a new life of grace: the incredible life of the risen Jesus. How well am I nurturing my new life?

Let us reflect upon the year that is past as well as the year to come. What is it that we need to let go of from the past and what is it that you need to focus on for the coming year. Let us make a clear resolution to identify any obstacle to the coming of Christ into your heart and let discover the new life that awaits us this coming year.

Prayer: Lord, You came into this world out of perfect love for me. You came to save me from all sin and You came to deliver me from all evil. Help me to see that which has kept me from You this past year and to surrender it to You. Help me also to have hope and vision for all that awaits and all that You are calling me to. May I heed the words of the Baptist and make the road ahead straight so that I can follow Your perfect will. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.