Dear friend, Our new year has begun and we are already 2 weeks into it. Let us continue to pray for those afflicted by the COVID-19 virus and their families. Let us also pray that, the vaccine being administered, begins to drastically reduce the amount of COVID-19 cases.
Sunday was the feast of The Baptism of the Lord and the readings are as follows: Isaiah 55: 1-11, 1 John 5: 1-9, and the Gospel according to Mark 1: 7-11
Through baptism we are washed clean of original sin and made new in the Spirit of God to walk in the light of Christ Jesus. Most Catholics are baptized as infants others when they except an invitation and/or feel God calling them to join the church. For all those baptized we renew our baptismal promises at Easter time. A promise is a sacred oath and should never be broken and so, by renewing our promises to God, we only strengthen our desire to love and follow Him.
These days, so many are focused on the problems in our world and rightly so but if we focus more on following God and how He can make things right; a feeling of calm assurance fills our hearts and minds. He loves us so much and wants what is best for us but we need to turn our attention on Him and His righteousness for our lives.
Dear friend, please take time this week to ask the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with love for God, to read your Bible and believe the Good News that God is in control and sovereign over all life.
In John 3:5 Jesus said “Truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Additional Bible readings: John 3:5, 1 Pet. 3:21; cf. Acts 2:38, 22:16, Rom. 6:3–4, Col. 2:11–12
Prayer:
Almighty and gracious God, forgive us our sins, have mercy on us and help us to focus on you and your love for us. There are so many problems in our world but we believe that you are in control and that all will turn out according to your Plan. Strengthen us, enlighten us with your Truth and fill us with your Holy Spirit that we may set an example of Christ’s brotherly love for all mankind. Watch over all life because from conception to death, all life matters. When any life is mistreated it only corrupts the very core of humanity and it must stop. Help us to be a beacon of your Truth for all to see like a blazing light burning from the highest mountain. Oh God, we ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
May the peace of God be with you all.
BIG HUGS and blessings to you and yours.
Sincerely, yours in Christ Jesus,
Marie Antoinette
His Righteousness 