FIRST LUMINOUS ROSARY MYSTERY: THE BAPTISM OF JESUS
"Now when all the people were baptised, and when Jesus also had been baptised
and was praying, the heaven was opened,
and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove.
And a voice came from heaven,
You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’" Luke 3
As Jesus fully immersed himself in our world,
so we are fully immersed in Christ.
But we’re not spared from the world,
as if we’re initiated into a reclusive religious sect.
Just as Jesus’ baptism was the beginning of his public ministry,
so too, we’re sent out to the world
knowing that even though we sin,
we are loved by a merciful God and are pleasing to him.
We’re sent out to immerse ourselves in the world
and discover that, because of his baptism, there is not a single place,
not even the tomb, where Christ has not gone ahead of us –
in the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.
If baptism is the beginning of our story with God,
how has that story developed for you over your life?
What twists and turns has it followed?
What point of the story have you reached?
It isn't enough to be baptized
you must also live out your baptismal promises.
Spirit of energy and change
in whose power Jesus was anointed
to be the hope of the nations:
be poured out also upon us
without reserve or distinction,
that we may have confidence and strength
to plant your justice on the earth.
Janet Morley