1 John 2:29–3:6 / John 1:29-34

The solemnity of Christmas lasted a week - it is called the Octave of Christmas. But the Christmas Season lasts until the Sunday of the Baptism of the Lord. And we still have a few days.

Today the evangelist John tells us about John the Baptist who, upon seeing Jesus approaching him, declared that He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. John the Baptist said that Jesus is greater than him because He existed before him. John the Baptist said that he baptized with water so that Jesus would be revealed to Israel. John the Baptist said that it had been revealed to him who the Son of God would be, the one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit. This would be the one upon whom the Spirit would descend and remain. And John the Baptist testified that he saw the Spirit descend on Jesus, like a dove, and remain in Him.

How important Baptism is! We become temples of the Holy Spirit. Jesus continues to baptize today through the Church, which is His Mystical Body. Let us value this holy sacrament. Let us convince mothers and fathers to baptize their children, offering them the proper formation. And let us be like John the Baptist, affirming to everyone that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

Today, John tells us in his first letter that those who practice righteousness are born of God, because He is righteous. John said that we are children of God and that this is a gift of love from Him to us. John said that when Jesus appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him as He is. John said that those who hope in Jesus, Who is pure, purify themselves, since to sin is to commit iniquity. And John said that Jesus appeared to take away sins and that there is no sin in Him.

Let us value the sacrament of Baptism. Through it, we become adopted children of God. Through it, we are purified from sin, from iniquity. Let us ask God to help us deepen our knowledge of our Baptism, to live it more intensely and to convince others of its importance. It is the commitment of the mother and father to baptize their children and to educate them in the faith of the Church, supported by their godparents.

Local: Springfield, MA, EUA

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