Water, Blood and the Spirit

WORD 2day: Friday after Christmas Octave

January 6, 2023: 1 John 5: 5-6, 8-13; Mark 1: 7-11

The Liturgy today and tomorrow prepares us towards the beautiful event we are moving towards...the Baptism of the Lord. The celebration of the Baptism of the Lord is a stark reminder of our baptism and the call and challenges that come with it. Baptism itself is a great gift that we have received... and that gift makes us persons of faith, children of one great big family, the family of God. 

The reflection begins with the sanctifying elements of Baptism. First, the waters of baptism that cleanse. Secondly, the Blood of Jesus shed on the Cross once and for all, which saves us from eternal damnation and promises us eternal life. Thirdly, the Spirit of the Lord that is given to us, poured into our hearts as a seal of God's love for us, that which makes us children of God! 

We have the Son, always for us and with us, and so we have the eternal life that God promises in and through the Son. The Lord has made us His own, at baptism, in the cleansing water, in the saving blood and in the sanctifying Spirit and we joyfully belong to the Lord!