Baptism

by Fr. Dmitri, New Zealand

Saturday 15 January 2011 (7 Tobi;7 Tuba)
St.Seraphim of Sarov. St.Schattin of Killkenny.
Forefeast of Theophany.

As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the
Father; so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
(John 6:57)

But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so
now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness,"
then he allowed Him.
(Matt. 3:15)

Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
(John 1:29)

John answered, saying to all, "I indeed baptize you with water;
but One mightier than I is coming, He will baptize you with
the Holy Spirit and fire.
(Luke 3:16)

Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance.
(Luke 3:8)

He who is greedy of gain troubles his own house, But he who
hates bribes will live.
(Prov. 15:27)

I have fallen: raise me up and strengthen me, O Lord:
for Thou raiseth up all who have fallen.
(Ephraim the Syrian)

And if you salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others?
Do not even the publicans do this?
(Matt. 5:47)

Pray to be men in Christ.
(Clifton)

I will wash my hands in innocency, O Lord: and so I will
go unto thine Altar.
(Psa. 26:6)

Why art Thou so heavy, O my Soul: and why art Thou
so disquited within me?
(Psa. 43:5)

It is not at all enough for you to leave sin and repent from it.
You must repair the results of your sin as much as you can.
(Pope Shenouda III)

REFLECTION:

The Holy Eucharist (Communion) is a fire that purifies and consumes
all our miseries and imperfections. Do everything in your power to make
yourself worthy of the Eucharist, and this Divine Fire will take care of
the rest.

Living God, You have given us the Communion as our food for heavenly
life. Help us to partake of it often, and so be strengthened during our
pilgrim journey on earth.
(Hyacinth of Marescotti)

HOMILY:

BAPTISM

Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. (Matt. 3:13)

John's reaction was one of dismay, that Christ should come to him for Baptism, being the sinless One. But Jesus told John it was needful for Him to be Baptized as an example for the rest of mankind. We go to Matt. 28:19 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, Baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." This was Our Lord's Commission not only to His Apostles, but to the Church down through the ages. But is this being done today? Have we the same zeal as the early Church?

We do not think enough about our own baptism; it is Our Lord's first gift to each of us, full of His thoughtfulness. In instituting it, He took something that existed already (Jews used it in receiving proselytes; and John the Baptist accentuated it,) and He made it into a great Spiritual reality. So Baptism, like Sacrifice, goes back into the roots of human history, awaiting His creative touch.

Our own Baptism is not a mere event in the past; it is working in you still: infused grace, infused virtues, and the right to actual graces. The need is to live up to our Baptism. Virtues like limbs, do not grow unless they are used. Keep thy Baptism, Keep the Commandments of God, that thou mayest meet Him.

Baptism is the prerequisite for admission into Christ's Body the Church, not into one specific denomination, as some would have us think. Scripture allows for re-baptism if it has been done by Apostates or Heretics. May we all take Our Lord's Commission to heart and follow His instructions and Go into all the World and Preach the Gospel to the unconverted.

To Thee be glory and praise; now and ever, unto Ages of Ages.

AMEN!

Today's Readings:

Evening: Psalm 132:9-10,17-18; Matt. 4:25-5:16.
Morning: Psalm 110:4-5 & 7; Luke 6:17-23.
Liturgy: 2 Tim 3:10-4:22; 1 Peter 5:1-14; Acts 20:17-38;
Psalm 73:23-24 & 28; Gospel: John 10:1-16