“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
6th January 2018.
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SATURDAY, CHRISTMASTIDE
Reading 1: 1 Jn 5:5-13 Who can overcome the world? Only the man who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. God has given us eternal life and this life is in his Son; anyone who has the Son has life, anyone who does not have the Son does not have life.
Res. Psalm: Ps 147:12-15, 19-20 O Praise the Lord Jerusalem! Zion, praise your God.
Gospel: Mk 1:7-11, or Lk 3: 23-28 Mk tells us about the theophany at the Baptism of Jesus, and Luke elaborates the genealogy of Jesus.
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THE DIGNITY OF A CHILD OF GOD
Immediately after baptizing Jesus, John saw the sky split apart and the Holy Spirit descend upon Jesus, and the voice of our heavenly Father proclaimed him to be his "beloved Son."These words, reveal not only the dignity of the Son of God, but, they also reveal much about us. They are words spoken about each one of us as a result of our own baptism into Christ. Who are you? This is an important question. Very often we take our identity in something other than the truth. We can often take our identity in what we accomplish or what we fail to accomplish. And, in so doing, we tend to allow our actions to determine our dignity. Our dignity is determined by one thing: Baptism. In our baptism we are made sons and daughters of the Father in Heaven. As a result, the Father sees us as His beloved children and He looks at us with great pleasure. Not because of what we do or do not do, but because of who we are.
What does it mean to be a baptized Catholic?
B –BATH OF REBIRTH - Original and actual sins washed away and we are a new creation.
A – ANOINTED – We like Jesus, is anointed as priest, prophet and king.
P – PERFECTION - Fullness of Christian life, “no longer I but Christ who lives in me.”
T –TOTAL COMMITMENT - to live the truth of faith in every moment and aspect of life.
I – INTERIOR REPENTANCE - conversion towards new life in Christ.
S – SEAL OF SALVATION –sealed with an indelible character that we belong to Christ.
M – MISSION to bear fruits of good works, holiness and evangelization.
Let us reflect today upon the words spoken by the Father: “YOU are my beloved child,” “I am well pleased with YOU.” The Father is pleased with each one of us because we give delight to Him simply for being His child. Ponder this truth and let it sink in as we prepare for the upcoming celebration of the Baptism of the Lord.
Prayer: Lord, help me to always see my dignity as Your child. Help me to know and believe that there is nothing I can do to strengthen or weaken Your love of me and, therefore, the dignity I receive from Your love. Help me to always realize that my life gives You deep pleasure not because of what I do or do not do, but because of who I am. I thank You for loving me as a perfect Father. Help me, please, to always know and receive this perfect love. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.