This Sunday’s Gospel: January 10, 2021

For this Sunday’s Gospel and other Mass readings, click here.

I was born on March 4, 1998, but I was born again later that month. On March 22, 1998, I was Baptized at St. Stephen’s Parish and I entered the Church. Although I don’t remember it because I was one month old, it was the most important day of my life.

Of all the ways that we surrender ourselves to God’s will, the first and one of the most important ones is Baptism. It’s a form of dying to yourself and this world so that you can rise for Christ. Water has always been a sign of life, so by the holy water of Baptism, our new life in Jesus begins as we’re born again in Him. This Sacrament that juxtaposes death and birth is what makes us sons and daughters of God.

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In my blog about why Jesus was Baptized, I talked a little bit about my Confirmation classes. I mentioned that my class often prayed with what God the Father said after Jesus was Baptized. The words “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” still echo in my heart. In His goodness, the Lord constantly reminds me that I’m His beloved daughter. As I follow Him closely and choose Him, I feel that He’s pleased with me.

Baptism is our first death to the world and our birth in Christ. As His followers, we’re called to constantly die to the world by turning away from sin, resisting temptation, and not indulging in material things or worldly comforts. Every day, we choose to follow the Lord and renew our love for Him. Every time, we can remember the Baptism of our Lord to encourage us as we remember that we are God’s beloved children, and He is well pleased with us.

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