Baptism gives us a new life…
Reflections on the readings for the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (June 28, 2020): 2 KGS 4:8-11; 14-16; PS 89:2-3,16-17,18-19; ROM 6:3-4,8-11; MT 10:37-42
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days
We are human and sin will always be a temptation.
In today’s reading from St. Paul to the Romans, he urges all Christians to recognize the power of Baptism and how it truly changes our lives. Being baptized into Jesus means uniting our selves with His life, death and Resurrection. Baptism wipes away the traces of sin, both original and our own individual sins against God. “We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over Him. As to His death, He died to sin once and for all; as to His life, He lives for God. Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:9-11).
We need to understand that living in Christ, means handing our selves over to Him so that sin no longer has a hold on us. We are human and sin will always be a temptation. But we need not give in. The victory already belongs to our generous, merciful Lord and we must entrust ourselves to Him. And then choose to follow His way of life. We need to offer Him our constant belief, hope and love. And we also need to ask Him to give us what He knows we lack. God’s grace will always be there for us, especially in the harshest, darkest times. And if we do fall, our Redeemer will be there to pick us up if we offer Him our sorrow and desire to begin again. Christ will never say “No” to a sincere heart seeking to change and asking forgiveness. Through Him we can all experience newness of life.
Suggested missionary action: Today we can resolve to examine our conscience on a regular basis and ask Christ to help us avoid sin. We can also resolve to approach Him in true contrition when we fail, knowing He is waiting for us in mercy and love.
