English Español Mary Immaculate
Catholic Church / Pacoima, CA

Our Baptism

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.”Ps. 40

In the Baptism of the Lord the presence of the Spirit was manifested that came upon Him in the form of a dove and the voice of the Father was heard testifying that He was his beloved Son, the expected Messiah. That is why this episode is considered to be another Epiphany. Just as a week ago we celebrated the manifestation of God made man for all the peoples, represented in the Magi, here we are dealing with the manifestation of God for the Jewish people, who came to the baptism of John.

None of those who received the baptism of John received the gift of the Spirit, as Jesus received it and we all have received it. John himself expressed it on one occasion saying:

“I truly baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who comes after me is more mighty than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to take off; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”Matthew 13:11

Not even John the Baptist himself would receive the Baptism that we have received, with the Holy Spirit. Holy, because it began after the ascension of Jesus to heaven and Pentecost in which the 12 were filled with the Holy Spirit. And sent by Jesus they began to fulfill the mandate:

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,…”Matthew 28:19

We had the privilege of receiving that Baptism that Christ commanded, to become his disciples and children of God anointed by his Spirit, but as the same mandate expresses, we also need to be taught to obey everything that Jesus taught:

“…teaching them to obey everything that I have sent you. And I assure you that I will be with you always, until the end of the world.”Matthew 28:20

“Well, how will they believe if they are not preached to? Faith comes from the preaching of the word of God.”Romans 10:17

For this reason, the Church requests that there be godparents who guarantee, together with the parents that education in faith, so that the baptism is received by the child, not only physically, through water, but also spiritually, by faith. Only then is the gift of the Baptism opened, and it can begin to be lived and enjoyed.

Unfortunately in our world, many without faith also baptize their children, without a sincere commitment to educate their children in the faith, because they themselves do not have it and cannot give it, for this reason there are so many millions who do not live as children of God. They do not enjoy the fruits of the Spirit, they do not live their baptism, they have the great gift of eternal life within their reach, but wasted, without knowing or valuing it.

Give us, Lord, the grace to live more fully each day your Great Gift of the Spirit that you gave us in Baptism. May we begin to live the divine and eternal life that we receive through Him.

Readings for the Week

Monday: Heb 5:1-10; Ps 110:1-4; Mk 2:18-22
Tuesday: Heb 6:10-20; Ps 111:1-2, 4-5, 9, 10c; Mk 2:23-28
Wednesday: Heb 7:1-3, 15-17; Ps 110:1-4; Mk 3:1-6
Thursday: Heb 7:25 — 8:6; Ps 40:7-10, 17; Mk 3:7-12
Friday: Heb 8:6-13; Ps 85:8, 10-14; Mk 3:13-19
Saturday: Heb 9:2-3, 11-14; Ps 47:2-3, 6-9; Mk 3:20-21
Sunday: Is 8:23 — 9:3; Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14; 1 Cor 1:10-13, 17; Mt 4:12-23 [12-17]

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