Isaiah, Chapter 12, verse 2:
17 God indeed is my salvation; I am confident
and unafraid. For the LORD is my strength and my might, and he has been my
salvation.
Today
the Church celebrates the baptism of Christ and today is also the last day of
Christmastide.
Christ’s
baptism is another Epiphany or outward sign of Christ’s Kingship. “On coming up out of the water he saw the
heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are
my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:9-10). I see this as a manifestation of the Trinity in
that on Christ's death the heavens were torn open to us and the dove was symbolic of
the Holy Spirit and the Father symbolic in the voice from heaven.
John
the Baptist must have at Christ’s baptism reflected on this verse and thought here is He
that is my salvation.
Let us this day
emulate John and go forth confident and unafraid.
As a
sign of your confidence today it might be a good day to renew your baptismal vows.[1]
R. I do.
V. And all his works?
R. I do.
V. Do you renounce sin, so as to live in the freedom of the children of God?
R. I do.
V. Do you renounce the lure of evil, so that sin may have no mastery over you?
R. I do.
V. Do you renounce Satan, the author and prince of sin?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, suffered death and was buried, rose again from the dead and is seated at the right hand of the Father?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
R. I do.
V. And may almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us new birth by water and the Holy Spirit and bestowed on us forgiveness of our sins, keep us by his grace, in Christ Jesus our Lord, for eternal life.
R. Amen.
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