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."
REFLECTION
"You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
Growing up it was very important to me to please my parents and my teachers. I sought their approval and with that I could do anything. Their affirmation gave me the confidence to continue and eagerly follow my dreams. Their encouragement made me invincible!
To love without measure is a very precious gift. To know that we are God's beloved is a source of strength. If God thinks so highly of us imagine what His love can do in us.!! In Baptism and Confirmation we are immersed into the very life of God. We need to personally grow in our trust, faith and love of God to open up to His many graces.
So why did Jesus submit to the Baptism of repentance offered by John? His public life began with His baptism by John. "This is my beloved Son" is the manifestation of Jesus as Messiah of Israel and the Son of God. He was incarnate, God made man, and in His humility He becomes the Suffering Servant and allows Himself to be numbered among sinners. He does His Father's Will because of His perfect love for Him, leading to the perfect repentance on the Cross and the Resurrection. (1)
Every Thursday we pray the Luminous mysteries. The first decade is the Baptism of Jesus. Every time I pray and meditate on this mystery I ask myself if I have done all for His love so as to hear from My Father, "This is my beloved daughter with whom I am well pleased."
Our PAPA family consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus to pray for priests. Let us pray that the priest's service for God, born of love, be for all. Pray they have the courage to sacrifice their will to His, the strength to preach, hear confessions and give of themselves 24/7. May the priest, the alter Christus, hear the Fatherly affirmation that he is precious in His sight.
May the words of Peter, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you" be our words as well as the mantra of the priests.
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