Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him. After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

 

Saint’s Words:

At the moment that the soul receives holy baptism, original sin is taken away from her, and grace is infused into her, and that inclination to sin, which remains from the original corruption . . . is indeed a source of weakness, but the soul can keep the bridle on it if she choose.

—Catherine of Siena, Dialogue  

 

Prayer to Live as a Child of God:

Father in Heaven, when the Spirit came down upon Jesus at His Baptism in the Jordan, You revealed Him as Your own Beloved Son. Keep me, Your child, born of water and the Spirit, faithful to my calling. May I, who share in Your Life as Your child through Baptism, follow in Christ's path of service to people. Let me become one in His Sacrifice and hear His Word with faith. May I live as Your child, following the example of Jesus. Amen.

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