A man comes after me, who is already ahead of me, for he was before me. I myself did not know
him, but I came baptizing to prepare for him, so that he might be revealed in Israel.“ And John also
gave this testimony, “I saw the Spirit coming down on him, like a dove from heaven, and resting on
him. I myself did not know him, but God, who sent me to baptize, told me, ‘You will see the Spirit
coming down, and resting on the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ Yes, I have seen! And I
declare that this is the Chosen One of God!“
Reflect
What a gift baptism is! In this sacrament, we become the adopted children of God, united
in the Body of Christ, our brother. God chooses us – and how blessed we are – but for
what purpose? We are chosen to follow Christ, the Lamb of God, and to continue his
mission in the world and to make him known by our words and deeds by living in faith,
hope, and love. But this way of living is not easy. Living as missionary disciples means
abandoning a comfortable, easy path to live justly and avoid sin. Even more challenging
in these difficult days when the news is so often filled with bad news and grave warnings,
as disciples we are called to live in hope, believing that we can follow God more closely,
that we can change the world to be more just and loving, and that we can live in God’s
presence forever.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2022