January 9 - One Bread, One Body
January 9, Baptism of Jesus
Cycle C Readings:
1) Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11
Psalm 104:1-4, 24-25, 27-30
2) Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7
Luke 3:15-16, 21-22
Love lasts
"You are My Beloved..." — Luke 3:22
On the last day of Christmas, my true Love, Jesus, gave to me a deeper life in the Spirit. On the last day of Christmas, my true Love, the Holy Spirit, cried out in my heart “Abba” (“Father”) (Gal 4:6). On the last day of Christmas, my true Love, Jesus, revealed God the Father to me in a new way (Lk 10:22) and gave me an even deeper life in the Spirit (Jn 14:16). On the last day of Christmas, I was caught in the crossfire of the Trinity’s love. The Father spoke; Jesus saved; the Spirit descended.
Are you ready to “grasp fully, with all the holy ones, the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ’s love, and experience this love which surpasses all knowledge, so that you may attain to the fullness of God Himself”? (Eph 3:18-19) Are you ready to be loved as the Father loves Jesus? (Jn 15:9) On this last day of Christmas, will you let the love of God be poured out in your heart through the Holy Spirit? (Rm 5:5)
“God is Love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him” (1 Jn 4:16). Christmas is all about God’s love. Make this the day, the year, and the life of love.
Prayer: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I live in Your love (Jn 15:10). Thank You for the Christmas season.
Promise: “He saved us through the baptism of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” —Ti 3:5
Praise: Joshua led the Israelites across the Jordan River into the promised land (Jos 3:14-17). Through His Baptism, Jesus leads us “across the Jordan” and toward our heavenly home. Alleluia!
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, 2021 through January 31, 2022.
†Most Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 5, 2021.
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.