Dearest Goddaughter (LTR-27) - Baptized in Christ Jesus

Dearest Goddaughter,

Sisters and brothers in Christ, Saint John writes that we "have eternal life, [we] who believe in the name of the Son of God." Where does his confidence come from to make such a bold statement? It comes from God, who at the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Jordan River, by Saint John the Baptist, said: "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."

Therefore, we too should have confidence to witness to the life of Jesus, his teachings, and his Passion and Resurrection, because the Spirit of Truth is with us. Most of all, let us know in our hearts that we, too, through the waters of Baptism are beloved sons and daughters of our Father in heaven. Saint Gregory of Nazianzus, bishop, wrote: "Christ is bathed in light; let us also be bathed in light. Christ is baptized; let us also go down with him, and rise with him."

How blessed we are to be baptized and incorporated into the Body of Christ, the Church! Our Christian dignity, our dignity has a human person is not rooted in the world, but in the divine, because our dignity comes from God, our Creator, the Author of Life. Once again from Saint Gregory of Nazianzus: "Nothing gives such pleasure to God as the conversion and salvation of men, for whom his every word and every revelation exist. He wants you to become a living force for all mankind, lights shining in the world. You are to be radiant lights as you stand beside Christ, the great light, bathed in the glory of him who is the light of heaven."

Love,

Bỏ Phúc

P.S. These are the readings for the day: 1 Jn 5:5-13 and Mk 1:7-11 (below).

. . .

This is what John the Baptist proclaimed:

"One mightier than I is coming after me.

I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.

I have baptized you with water;

he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee

and was baptized in the Jordan by John.

On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open

and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.

And a voice came from the heavens,

"You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."