Whoever Possesses the Son Has Life

January 6, 2012

Christmas Weekday

By Melanie Rigney

God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever possesses the Son has life; whoever does not possess the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:11-12)

He has granted peace in your borders; with the best of wheat he fills you. He sends forth his command to the earth: swiftly run his word! (Psalms 147:14-15

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.” (Mark 1:9-11)

Piety

Father in Heaven, when the Spirit came down upon Jesus at His Baptism in the Jordan, You revealed Him as Your own Beloved Son. Keep me, Your child, born of water and the Spirit, faithful to my calling. May I, who share in Your Life as Your child through Baptism, follow in Christ’s path of service to people. Let me become one in his Sacrifice and hear His Word with faith. May I live as Your child, following the example of Jesus. (Found at http://www.catholic-saints.info/catholic-prayers/catholic-christening-prayer.htm)

Study

We had a baptism during the Christmas Day Mass at my parish, and it wasn’t your typical baptism. Rather than an infant, the girl being baptized was maybe five years old—dark hair piled on top of her head, dressed in a white dress and tights, resembling a ballerina. She fairly danced her way out of the pew and then to the baptismal font. No fear, no shyness. But neither did she play to the crowd. You got the feeling she had some concept of why she was there and what was happening. She positively glowed as she returned to the pew, face still damp, with her parents.

For most of us, baptism is a sacrament we don’t remember experiencing. What a gift it is, then, to be able to renew our own promises when new people, young or old, join our community. It’s an opportunity to reflect on the gift we have been given, the gift of a pathway to eternal life in Christ. We may not see the heavens being torn open for us each time, but if we listen closely, perhaps we can hear in our hearts and souls those beautiful words from Mark: “With you I am well pleased.”

Action

Be present to the Spirit during the day’s activities. May God be well pleased with your conduct.