GOSPEL READING: MATTHEW 3:13-17
RENEW YOUR BAPTISMAL PROMISES
Dear friends,
As we celebrate the feast of “The Baptism of the Lord” by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, it marks the end of the liturgical season of Christmas. We recall Our Lord's second manifestation (or epiphany) which occurred on the occasion of His baptism in the Jordan. Jesus descended into the River to sanctify its waters and to give us the power to beget sons of God.
Mother Church invites all of us to renew our own baptismal promises, so that we can live ever more transparently as a disciple of Jesus, trying to do what is right, and true, and good, and beautiful. At His baptism Christ was proclaimed the "Beloved Son" of the Father; at our Baptism we become the adopted sons of God. At Christ's baptism the heavens were opened; at our Baptism heaven was opened to us.
All the baptized are called to let their li
ght shine on the prisoners of darkness, those who are slaves to sin, that they may escape the darkness that chains their souls. Truly, unless those who are in darkness have heard the Word of God through the light of God that shines through us, they in turn cannot proclaim it to others.
As God's loved people, we are "the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts under the bushel basket, but on the lamp-stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, (we are called to) let our light shine before others as we renew our baptismal promises, so that they may see our good works out of love (CARITAS) and give glory to our Father in Heaven. [Mt. 5:14-6]
Finally, it is very true that we receive baptism only once in our life-time, but it is never a one-time event; we have to live and keep our baptismal promises throughout our life. That is to say that we have to conform to Christ more and more daily. In order words, we who have received the grace of baptism must endeavor always to live up to our baptismal promises throughout our life. And this is the Good News of today.
By Fr. Frank Kyazze Lwanga.
