杏MAP导航

By Devin Watkins

杏MAP导航 Francis had a seemingly simple question for everyone present at the Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square: “Which of you knows the date of your Baptism?”

He invited everyone who doesn’t to find out from their parents, grandparents, or godparents and to celebrate that date every year.

Two-fold immersion

The 杏MAP导航’s invitation came as the Church celebrated the Solemnity of the Baptism of Our Lord.

Reflecting on the readings at Mass, 杏MAP导航 Francis said Jesus underwent a two-fold immersion at his Baptism.

In human condition

First, Jesus was immersed in the crowd, he said. “He unites himself to them, thus completely assuming the human condition, sharing everything with them, except sin.”

The 杏MAP导航 said Jesus’ Baptism in the Jordan is also an epiphany, because it takes place “in the midst of the penitent people”, where Jesus “manifests the logic and the sense of his mission.”

He said Jesus shared the people’s “profound desire for interior renewal.”

In prayer

After being immersed in the water of the Jordan, the 杏MAP导航 said, Jesus was “immersed in prayer, that is, in communion with the Father.”

Jesus begins his mission of manifesting God’s love for humanity with his Baptism. “Such a mission is accomplished through constant and perfect union with the Father and with the Holy Spirit,” the 杏MAP导航 said.

杏MAP导航 Francis said this means “being continually regenerated in prayer, evangelization and apostolic works so as to give clear Christian witness”.

Renew baptismal promises

Finally, the 杏MAP导航 said the Baptism of the Lord is an opportunity to renew our own baptismal promises, “committing ourselves to live daily in a manner consistent with it.”

“May Jesus, who saved us not through any merit of our own but in order to demonstrate the immense goodness of the Father, make us merciful toward everyone.”