The celebration of Christmas concludes with the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord.
Yes, on 2 February we will return once more to the stories of the Lord’s childhood. Yet, as the green liturgical colour that will replace the present white next Sunday indicates, today brings the joyful Christmas season to an end. The Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord shows that Jesus was born into this world not merely for the sake of being born, but to become the Redeemer of all sinners. By uniting God and humanity in himself, he offers everyone the possibility of becoming a child of God through him. He came to offer himself, like a sacrificial lamb, for the salvation of the world.
Let us remember and give thanks to God if we have received the grace of Baptism, in which we were born anew as children of God. Let us also pray that we may live worthily of the exalted name bestowed upon us. Each day, let us pray for our baptised children and godchildren, and especially for all those baptised children whose parents or godparents do not fulfil the promises made at Baptism concerning Christian upbringing and the example of faith. Let us pray for them all, that they and we may grow as disciples of Christ here on earth, become those with whom our heavenly Father is well pleased, and at last see God face to face and rejoice in him for ever.
See you at church, where the Saviour awaits us for Mass at 10:00!
