M
MariaChristi
Guest
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Today is the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus, and I’m pondering the great gift of Baptism. How this first of the Sacraments shows forth the Mercy and Love of God! While we were yet sinners, He came, born of the sinless Mary to save us. Mary by her unique privilege, was preserved from the first moment of her existence from sin. Because she was to be His Mother, God gave her the first fruits of redemption. We, in our Baptism are cleansed also, not from the moment of our creation from God’s Hand, but from the first moment of our Baptism.
If baptized as infants we had no personal sins but we were cleansed of the Original sin inherited from Adam and Eve. If baptized as adults, we were cleansed of both original sin and any personal sins committed before Baptism. One thing we sometimes forget is that while there is no sin remaining, what does remain are the consequences of that original sin cleansed by the sacrament of Baptism. We have darkened intellects and weakened wills, which we need to be conscious of as we grow in grace.
Mary, Mother and Model for all of us, continually intercedes for us and in her example we find all we are called to be as Church, the holy Bride of Christ. She who was full of grace yet grew in grace, and she shows us how to guard the graces of our Baptism and grow in grace throughout our lives as she did. Mary’s faith is a model for ours. Through every trial she endured, she remained faithful. Her faith and hope in God’s Love enabled her to love as He loves. She was given as we are all given the indwelling Trinity to be our Guest within. She remained attentive to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit and pondered all things in her heart.
Today as we celebrate the great Feast of Jesus’ Baptism, let us thank God for the Gift of Mary through whom Jesus came into the world to save us. Let us thank God for the utter Humility of Jesus the Word Incarnate who went into the waters of the Jordan as example for us – though He had no need of Baptism. Let us thank Him for Mary who like her Son was humble of heart and sought always to do the Father’s Will. Let us, By God’s Grace, make a new start this day to be more like Jesus and Mary.
As we enter Church, this morning, let us remember our Baptism, as we make the sign of the Cross with Holy Water, and thank God. We were sealed with the sign of the Cross at Baptism let us live, by the Graces we have received, truly renewed lives in Christ, through Mary.
Today is the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus, and I’m pondering the great gift of Baptism. How this first of the Sacraments shows forth the Mercy and Love of God! While we were yet sinners, He came, born of the sinless Mary to save us. Mary by her unique privilege, was preserved from the first moment of her existence from sin. Because she was to be His Mother, God gave her the first fruits of redemption. We, in our Baptism are cleansed also, not from the moment of our creation from God’s Hand, but from the first moment of our Baptism.
If baptized as infants we had no personal sins but we were cleansed of the Original sin inherited from Adam and Eve. If baptized as adults, we were cleansed of both original sin and any personal sins committed before Baptism. One thing we sometimes forget is that while there is no sin remaining, what does remain are the consequences of that original sin cleansed by the sacrament of Baptism. We have darkened intellects and weakened wills, which we need to be conscious of as we grow in grace.
Mary, Mother and Model for all of us, continually intercedes for us and in her example we find all we are called to be as Church, the holy Bride of Christ. She who was full of grace yet grew in grace, and she shows us how to guard the graces of our Baptism and grow in grace throughout our lives as she did. Mary’s faith is a model for ours. Through every trial she endured, she remained faithful. Her faith and hope in God’s Love enabled her to love as He loves. She was given as we are all given the indwelling Trinity to be our Guest within. She remained attentive to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit and pondered all things in her heart.
Today as we celebrate the great Feast of Jesus’ Baptism, let us thank God for the Gift of Mary through whom Jesus came into the world to save us. Let us thank God for the utter Humility of Jesus the Word Incarnate who went into the waters of the Jordan as example for us – though He had no need of Baptism. Let us thank Him for Mary who like her Son was humble of heart and sought always to do the Father’s Will. Let us, By God’s Grace, make a new start this day to be more like Jesus and Mary.
As we enter Church, this morning, let us remember our Baptism, as we make the sign of the Cross with Holy Water, and thank God. We were sealed with the sign of the Cross at Baptism let us live, by the Graces we have received, truly renewed lives in Christ, through Mary.
