The early Church prayed that the Lord stretch forth His "hand in cures and signs and wonders" (Acts 4:30). The Lord answered their prayers, for "the place where they were gathered shook as they prayed. They were filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 4:31). Nevertheless, although the Lord is quite willing to do signs and wonders, the main thing on His mind is that we be begotten from above of water and Spirit (Jn 3:3, 5). Thus, when Nicodemus started talking to Jesus about signs and wonders, the Lord changed the subject and talked about being begotten from above, that is, being baptized and living the baptized life (see Jn 3:2-3).
Before Jesus ascended, He was again thinking about Baptism, for He commanded the Church to baptize the nations (Mt 28:19). Jesus taught that those who believe in the Good News and accept Baptism will be saved while those who refuse "to believe in it will be condemned" (Mk 16:16). Before His Ascension, Jesus also promised that within a few days His disciples would "be baptized with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 1:5).
As a result of receiving this Baptism on Pentecost, Peter proclaimed that Jesus was both Lord and Messiah (Acts 2:36). "Those who accepted his message were baptized; some three thousand were added that day" (Acts 2:41), and the Church was born through the waters of Baptism. Because Jesus is so preoccupied with Baptism, He has led the Church to call for its members to renew their baptismal promises on the first day of the Easter season.
Have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16). Think Baptism. Live Baptism. Be risen in Christ.
| PRAYER: | Father, may I renew my Baptism daily as I bless myself with holy water. |
| PROMISE: | They "continued to speak God's word with confidence." –Acts 4:31 |
| PRAISE: | Martha faithfully ministers Jesus to prisoners several times each month (see Mt 25:36). |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College