In this time when many of us feel distant from each other, and perhaps even distant from God, let’s remind ourselves of this unchanging fact: by baptism, you and I are truly children of God. Don’t take my word for it. Look to St. Paul:
“As proof that you are children, God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.”
Galatians 4:6-7
At our baptism, the Holy Spirit was poured into our hearts configuring to Christ Jesus’ Body so that we can truly call God our Abba (an English equivalent would be something like “Daddy” or “Papa”). And not only this, but our baptism has also made us heirs and inheritors of the Kingdom of God.
Usually, we renew our baptismal promises (and the grace associated with it) on Holy Saturday during the Easter Vigil or at the baptisms of new members of the Church. But why limit it to only these few times a year?
Why not seek to live in the fullness of grace each and every day?
Below is a helpful page to do just that – make a daily renewal of your baptismal grace. Perhaps, you could print it out and place it somewhere you will see it daily (bathroom mirror, fridge, etc.) and reclaim the grace to call God your Abba. Better yet, maybe it could be something all the members of your family renew each morning or at least each Sunday. You could even get a little holy water to bless yourselves in order to recall your baptism.
The Holy Spirit is the never ending fount of the Lord’s love who dwells in you by baptism. There is nothing, absolutely nothing (including COVID-19) which can separate you from this love (see Romans 8:38-39). So fear not. God is not only with us – He is in us!
Let’s stir up the life of grace already within us and watch the Lord do more than we could ever imagine.
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