Daily Gospel Reflection for January 9, 2023

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

We are reading the baptism of Jesus. One of the many ways in which the creator of world and our Savior imitated us in all things but sin. It is delightful to ponder Him growing up with Mary and Joseph, learning to walk, working alongside Joseph in his workshop, growing taller just like our own sons during puberty. Now, He is standing in line with the others waiting for John the Baptist to baptize Him. Was the sun blazing hot, was He sweating as He waited? We all know how a splash of cool water feels on a hot day just as Jesus did on this momentous day. But, did He know how His Father would respond to this action?

For most of us, our baptism took place when we were infants, so there are no memories. There might not even be photos.

But we all have this Gospel to ponder. We were baptized just as Christ Himself, and every day God speaks the same words over us: "This is my beloved [child], with whom I am well-pleased."

Take this declaration with you today and every day. God is pleased by you, not with what you do, or where you live or any external measure of success by the world’s standards. Stand strong in that truth.

Ponder:

Are you often so discouraged by your mistakes, missteps, and forgetfulness the you forget how much God loves you?

Pray:

Dear Jesus, too often I forget how much You love me and are pleased by me. Do not let me forget the pleasure You find in me and all I try to do for You and Your Church.

Click to tweet:
We were baptized just as Christ Himself, and every day God speaks the same words over us: "This is my beloved [child], with whom I am well-pleased." #dailygospel

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