The Baptism of the Lord
Intention: That all people will work together selflessly to bring peace and safety to those places that are being torn by war and battered by violence.
Today’s Gospel | Luke 3:15-16, 21-22
The people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
From the Third Meditation for the Time of Retreat | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
Since you are ambassadors and ministers of Jesus Christ in the work that you do, you must act as representing Jesus Christ himself. He wants your disciples to see him in you and receive your instructions as if he were giving them to them. They must be convinced that your instructions are the truth of Jesus Christ who speaks with your mouth, that it is only in his name that you teach, and that it is he who has given you authority over them.
They must also be convinced that they themselves are a letter which Jesus Christ dictates to you, which you write each day in their hearts, not with ink, but by the Spirit of the living God, who acts in you and by you through the power of Jesus Christ. He helps you triumph over all the obstacles that oppose the salvation of these children, enlightening them in the person of Jesus Christ in order to make them avoid all that could be displeasing to him. In order for you to fulfill this duty with as much perfection and exactness as God requires of you, frequently give yourselves to the Spirit of our Lord to act in your work only under his influence, so that your own spirit may have no part in it. This Holy Spirit, then, will come upon them generously, so that they will be able to possess fully the Christian spirit.
Prayer
Eternal Father, it is your will that we walk in the way of your peace and guide our steps to where we will know and serve you best. May we give ourselves without hesitation to the work of building your Kingdom. Grant us the humility and faithfulness to hear your call through the people and experiences we experience each day. Guide us in your truth, that amid all the changes and challenges of life, we may always remember our way to you. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.