Antoni BigCuore Casagrande *
Date: 18.01.2020, Saturday at 10:48 am
Location: São Paulo, SP., Brazil
On this second Sunday in Ordinary Time, let us reflect on the Gospel of John, in its chapter 1, verses 29-34.
John the Baptist, the last Prophet of the Old Testament, also called the forerunner of Jesus, announces the Master, as "the Lamb of God" and announces his discipleship.
“I saw the Spirit come down from heaven, like a dove, and land on him. I didn't know him either. The one who sent me to baptize with water, he was the one who said to me: “The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and land, this is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” 34.And I saw, and I testify that THIS IS THE SON OF GOD. ”(1)
John the Baptist, preached and performed the baptism called conversion. Thus, in an act of complete humility, he announced the coming of the Messiah, the One who effectively performs the "baptism in the Holy Spirit".
"This is the Son of God", he emphasizes. John the Baptist was fully convinced that Jesus was truly the Son of God, announced by the ancient prophets.
Jesus came to replace the old paschal lamb of the Jews, by himself, so much so that he "Lamb of God", was sacrificed on the cross, from where the redemption of all mankind was born.
John announces that He came to free the people of Israel from the bonds of slavery to sin, from unjust structures, which cause harm to the poor and disadvantaged in the society of their time. He came to free and heal (the soul and the body) the poor and suffering people of his time.
The unjust structures that prevailed in Israel, like so many of our time, wreak havoc on lives, above all, the poor and disadvantaged of society.
Jesus is the “new wine”, the One who comes to heal, deliver and point out the true way of Salvation!
Let us reflect a little on the importance of our Baptism, which represents a sensitive sign of God's grace in us. It is, in my understanding, after the Eucharist, the most important sacrament.
By way of illustration, we quote the words of Fr. José Ribólla, C.SS.R: “The Latin“ SACRAMENTUM ”corresponds to“ mysterium ”, in Greek. But in the sense of a love so great that we cannot fully reach it. It has the meaning of God's loving plan. Etymologically, it is a term composed of two words: "SACRA", which means: sacred things. The word "MENTUM" may be an inflection of the verb "MEMORARE", remember. So it would be more or less that: remembering sacred things, remembering the mysterious love of God. ”(2)
Therefore, it is a sign that leads us to MEET JESUS. Let it be said in passing that Jesus incarnates the sacrament itself.
In baptism, the Priest is “in persona Christi”, that is, in the person of Christ; he “lends” to God, his hands, his voice and concretizes the presence of the sacred by pouring a little water on the child's head, uttering the words: “I baptize you, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit".
Therefore, in the person of the Baptism the sanctifying grace comes to live, and also the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are: 1. Wisdom; 2. Intelligence; 3. Council; 4. Fortaleza; 5. Science. 6. Piety; 7. Fear of God.
Contrary to what many Catholics think, baptism is not merely a ritual. The person of the baptized becomes part of the “Family of God” and, consequently, participant in the process of redemption of the society of his time. Redemption continues, with new Christians being born and assuming their role as disciples of Jesus.
The disciple is one who embodies the teachings of the Master and seeks to imitate Him.
My brother and sister in Christ, have a happy and holy Sunday! Grace and peace in your hearts!
(1) Pauline Bible, pastoral edition, page 1,354.
) 2) cf.The Sacraments Exchanged in Tiny. Ribólla, José, C.SS.R. Editora Santuário, 7th edition, page 18, September 1.989.
(*) author is a Catholic Christian writer and Communicator of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the entire planet. Access and publicize your Blog Bem Viver Brazil - antonibigcuore.blogspot.com (self-knowledge, spirituality and healthy living) and your poetic and philosophical link: www.recantodasletras.com.br/autores/antonibigcuore
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