It seems that for the last few years the renewal of the baptismal promises has not been successful for the Catholic Church throughout the world. The evidence for this is the continued proliferation of the culture of death, including abortion, contraception, unforgiveness, vengeance, denominations, racism, starvation, and other injustices. Our Baptisms are such great works of God that if millions of Christians renewed their Baptisms, the world could not help but be changed according to God's will.
The key to renewing our Baptisms is believing that Jesus is God. Jesus is the only Way to the Father (Jn 14:6) and the One Who baptizes us in the Spirit (Mk 1:8). When we believe in the Trinity with all our hearts, we are compelled to reject Satan, all his works, and all his empty promises. We believe Jesus is God and His revelation of the Trinity because of Jesus' Resurrection and because of the Church's authoritative revelation of Jesus' divinity in her teachings, especially in the Scriptures. His divinity is corroborated by the fact that He does the works of God (Jn 5:36).
"Just as the Father raises the dead and grants life, so the Son grants life to those to whom He wishes" (Jn 5:21). I have seen Jesus give new life to myself and countless others through Baptism. I have seen Jesus do the works of God. I have good reason to believe that the risen Jesus, proclaimed by His infallible Church, is God. I will profess this on the first day of Easter with all my heart.
| PRAYER: | Father, may I renew my Baptism by Your standards. |
| PROMISE: | "Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you." –Is 49:15 |
| PRAISE: | Philip was baptized on Easter at the age of 40. |
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