Pope Urges Faithful to Reflect on Their Baptism

Vatican City, January 12, 2025: Pope Francis, during his Sunday Angelus address in St. Peter’s Square, reflected on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, emphasizing that it serves as a reminder of God’s intimate love, manifested in the humanity of Jesus. He said that this sacred moment invites believers to carry this love forward, “living as children of the one Father who accompanies us at every step of our journey.”

Drawing inspiration from the Gospel of Luke, Pope Francis centered his reflection on the scene at the River Jordan, where Jesus humbly approached John for baptism among the crowd. The Holy Father described the scene as one of “waiting,” marked by the humility and simplicity of the people who sought a baptism of repentance. This moment, he said, revealed the face and voice of God, offering humanity a profound encounter with the divine.

The Pope underscored the dual elements of God’s revelation in the Gospel passage: the visible face of Jesus, which manifests God’s love, and the audible voice of the Father, affirming Jesus as his beloved Son. “It is in the face of the beloved Son that we know who God truly is,” he stated.

Pope Francis encouraged Christians to deepen their connection with God by contemplating their baptismal calling. He challenged the faithful to reflect on whether they feel loved and accompanied by God or perceive Him as distant. He also posed a practical question: “Do we remember the date of our baptism?”

“Remembering one’s baptism,” the Pope said, “allows believers to cherish their incorporation into the mystery of Christ and the Church”. He urged all Christians to mark the date of their baptism as a moment of spiritual renewal and celebrate it joyfully like a birthday.

In his concluding remarks, Pope Francis turned to the Blessed Virgin Mary, inviting the faithful to seek her intercession and entrust themselves to her care. “Let us invoke her help,” he prayed, encouraging all to continue their journey of faith with trust in God’s love.

Courtesy: Vatican News