Dearest Goddaughter (LTR-28) - Baptism of the Lord

Dearest Goddaughter,

Today is the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. As the unblemished Lamb of God, Jesus did not need to be baptized by John the Baptist. However, he insisted that John baptized him and, in doing so, sanctified the waters of Baptism for all of us and leaves us a model to follow.

I teach Baptism class and I share with all parents and godparents that one of the greatest gifts they can give their children is Baptism. Their children will be sanctified by the waters of Baptism, given a new life in Jesus Christ our Lord, become adopted sons and daughters of the Father through Christ, and beloved children of our Father in heaven. What a blessing! What a gift!

Through our Baptism, we take part in the mission of the Catholic Church, which Jesus has entrusted to continue his mission on earth: to lead all souls to encounter Jesus through the Holy Spirit and come to know the Father. The graces that flow from the waters of Baptism is the spring of salvation from which we draw water joyfully to strengthen us to desire God above all and to love our neighbors has Christ commands of us.

Let us reflect on our own Baptism, even if we do not remember it because our parents, in their wisdom and love for their children, had us baptized as infants, and hear God speaks these words in our hearts: "You are my beloved son (daughter); with you I am well pleased.

Love,

Bỏ Phúc

P.S. These are the readings for the day: 1 Jn 5:1-9 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.”