Reflecting on our Baptism: a meditation

“Repentance as a change of heart as opposed to an act of saying sorry.. METANIOA”

Jesus Baptism and being led into the wilderness…

Luke 4: 1-13

You probably will not recall your actual Baptism, but you should know when it was & the circumstances of it.

Recall the event and imagine what would have happened on that occasion.

Do you know the Church it happened in, the minister of Baptism, your Godparents?  What do you think your parents were doing?  How does this memory influence your understanding of Baptism?

There will be gaps in your recollection, as it will be based on your experience after the event, not during it: what you think now, what people have told you have experienced at other people’s Baptisms, mostly your own children’s if you have children.

Now imagine that you are standing at the font today.

How do you feel now, what expectations do you have?

How has your life lived up to those expectations?

What changes do you need to make in light of the Baptism that you received?

(maybe you want to reread the Baptismal Liturgy APB pgs. 380-385)

Now look ahead to Easter when you will renew your Baptismal promises – what changes would you like to make in your life as you stand before God?

Do you believe that you are filled with the Holy Spirit?

Can you remember your Confirmation? Do the same exercise that you did for Baptism – ( APB 390 – 393).

If the Bishop laid hands on you now – how would you respond to God – are you willing to receive the Spirit of God afresh?

Why ?-                         How ?-

Pray for the infilling of the Holy Spirit! 

Now, having recalled your Baptism and acknowledged the power of God’s Spirit at work in you –  

Let’s go into the wilderness together.

FACING TEMPTATION 

List your biggest temptations.

Do you have a temptation that God has overcome in your life? Think about that and give God glory and praise for that!

Let’s look at the three temptations that Jesus faced.

“If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”

“I will give You authority over all these kingdoms and all their glory,” he said. “For it has been relinquished to me, and I can give it to anyone I wish.  So if You worship me, it will all be Yours.”  (Luke 4: 6-7)

• “If You are the Son of God,” he said, “throw Yourself down from here.
• In the wilderness God gave them the 10 Commandments and the Tabernacle.
• God has given you the Word of God and the Church.
• Reflect on how these empower you to live life differently.