Lent, 4th Sunday

Receive the Light of Christ. Parents and godparents, this light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly. This child of yours has been enlightened by Christ. She is to walk always as a child of the Light. May she keep the flame of faith alive in her heart. When the Lord comes may she go out to meet Him with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom.

Your baptism was the day the Light of the World came into your heart. When you walk in His light, you can avoid stumbling over the world's latest fads like drugs, sex, and self-indulgence. This light is nothing other than the Merciful Love of God shining upon us. It teaches us our true identity and purpose: loving God and neighbor. It also teaches us that no matter how far we have wandered, God's mercy can always find us. May you keep the flame of faith alive in your heart.

(15 Mar 2015)

Point to Ponder:

"This bath is called enlightenment, because those who receive this instruction are enlightened in their understanding. . . ." Having received in Baptism the Word, "the true light that enlightens every man," the person baptized has been "enlightened," he becomes a "son of light," indeed, he becomes "light" himself: Baptism is God's most beautiful and magnificent gift....We call it gift, grace, anointing, enlightenment, garment of immortality, bath of rebirth, seal, and most precious gift. It is called gift because it is conferred on those who bring nothing of their own; grace since it is given even to the guilty; Baptism because sin is buried in the water; anointing for it is priestly and royal as are those who are anointed; enlightenment because it radiates light; clothing since it veils our shame; bath because it washes; and seal as it is our guard and the sign of God's Lordship. (Catechism of the Catholic Church ¶ 1216)

Point to Discuss: What is the date of your baptism? Celebrate it!