Holy
Rosary Month - Day 14: Luminous Mysteries 1
The
Baptism of our Lord at River Jordan:
In the first luminous mystery we meditate on the baptism of our Lord Jesus
at river Jordan. It is quite remarkable to note that the baptism of Jesus
has been put as the first of the luminous mysteries. This may also be to remind
us, I hope, of the connection between the first creation day account where God
created Light saying, “Let there be light” (Gen 1:3) and the sacrament of baptism.
Through the creation of light, God made an eternal separation between light and
darkness. In baptism God kindles his divine light in us to remove the darkness
of the original sin; the beginning of the new creation of Christian life in us.
We know that it is during the baptism of Jesus, heavens were opened and God the
father revealed, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Lk
3:17) Baptism of Jesus was in the beginning of his public ministry through
which the humankind enjoyed ‘the fruits of the year of the Lord.’ (cf. Lk 4:18,
19) In other words, the light coming from God the father now was shed through
Jesus Christ on the people who were in darkness; “The people who sit in
darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by
death light has arisen.” (Mt 4:16) Baptism is therefore a lighting of the divine
lamp in the life of a Christian. To say in other words, it is through baptism
that we consecrate ourselves to Jesus Christ, “the light of the world.” (Jn
8:12) Here we should not be in any way confused with the separation light and
darkness in Jesus and in us. Here it only means that it is through baptism that
which Jesus received for the fulfillment of all righteousness, he was revealed
as the light of the world and this very light, kindled in us through baptism,
drives us away all the activities of darkness in us. St. John says, “If we say,
‘We have fellowship with him,’ while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie
and do not act in truth.” (1Jn 1:6) As we read, probably an early Christian
baptismal hymn, in the letter to the Ephesians, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise
from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” (5:14) Do I really understand
the deeper meaning of the sacrament of baptism and its fruits?
Prayer:
Oh Mary, mother
of Jesus! We come to you today for your special maternal help and protection.
Mary, our mother and guide; help us to understand the inner meaning of the
sacrament of baptism we, each one, received. In this holy mystery we specially
pray for all those who have received baptism but are not able to lead a
fruitful Christian life. Let them be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit
and be confident enough that ‘the one who is in them is greater than the one
who is in the world’ (1Jn 4:4) through the intercession of holy Mary.
Amen!
Greetings:
Wish you all a nice and blissful Marian Tuesday!
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