January 15 - One Bread, One Body
January 15, Second Sunday Ordinary Time
Cycle A Readings:
1) Isaiah 49:3, 5-6
Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-10
2) 1 Corinthians 1:1-3
John 1:29-34
Baptized in the Spirit
"It is He Who is to baptize with the Holy Spirit." — Matthew 3:1
Many people talk about being “baptized in the Spirit.” By this, they usually mean having a renewal of their life in the Spirit. However, the Bible considers being baptized in the Spirit to be the same as being baptized, and not a renewal of life in the Spirit. Thus, many people use the phrase, “baptized in the Spirit,” in an un-Biblical way.
Although these people are wrongly using biblical terminology, they are “correct” pastorally. We have a great need to renew our being baptized in the Spirit. Through sin and selfishness, many baptized people have stifled (1 Thes 5:19) and saddened the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30). If we are to live the Christian life as the Lord intended it to be lived, we must stir into flame the gift of the Holy Spirit (2 Tm 1:6-7).
Today’s Scriptural readings invite us to renew our life in the Spirit. Look at Jesus, the Lamb of God (Jn 1:29). Let Him free you as He freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Let Him take away your sins and the sins of the world (Jn 1:29). “Follow the Lamb wherever He goes”; be pure and uncompromising with the ways of the world (see Rv 14:4). Receive a renewal of being baptized in the Spirit today.
Prayer: Father, may I want the Spirit as much as I want to breathe. Revive the graces of my Baptism and Confirmation.
Promise: “I will make you a light to the nations, that My salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” —Is 49:6
Praise: “I will proclaim Your name to my brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise You” (Ps 22:23). Risen Jesus, You are worthy of our praise.
Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Imprimatur ("Permission to Publish") for One Bread, One Body covering the period from December 1, 2022 through January 31, 2023.
†Most Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio April 12, 2022.
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.