My Dear Brothers and Sisters,
When we are baptized, perhaps we hear the message from our Heavenly Father: “You are my beloved sons and daughters; with you I am well pleased.” And also: “The skies opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on us.” How marvelous and wonderful was that? Do we really recognize it and try our best to live up to it?
Today’s celebration of the Baptism of Jesus is associated with seeing God, others and ourselves in a new way. After receiving the graces of this last day in the Christmas season, we will no longer know Him by our old standards, but we will see God as our own Father who loves us, and Jesus as our brother and redeemer. This will transform the way we see ourselves. We will truly believe we are also the chosen – beloved royal, priestly and holy. Then we will see other people as God sees them. And we will love our neighbors as ourselves.
On this last day of the Christmas season, my brothers and sisters, I would like to ask you all: “Please renew your baptismal promises. Open your eyes and receive the Spirit.” How can we practice it? Perhaps we should remind ourselves of something: Just remember that we belong to God and that we are brothers and sisters; treat one another with respect and love. Just remind ourselves that the Holy Trinity dwells within us and recognize the presence of God whenever we are making the sign of the Cross. And embrace always the idea that “we are God’s beloved sons and daughters” through the Sacrament of Baptism.
With love,
Fr. Thuong Hoai Nguyen, Pastor