You Bring Me Great Joy!
On the Feast of Epiphany, which we celebrated last Sunday, we experienced the journey of three kings. In the nativity scene in our church in front of the altar, the three Wise Men are standing before the newborn King. But they didn’t start there. They traveled a long and challenging journey through deserts, over hills and mountains, driven by a deep longing to find meaning, joy, and happiness. They followed a star: a special bright light that guided them to Jesus, the Light of the World. This star can remind us of our baptismal candles, lit from the Easter candle on the day of our baptism. Just as the star guided the wise men to Jesus, the light of baptism guides us on our journey of faith. It represents the strength, courage, and endurance that God gives us through this sacrament.
You Are Loved
At the baptism of Jesus, a voice came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; with you, I am well pleased.” These words apply to us as well. In baptism, God says to each of us: “You are my beloved child. You bring me great joy!” This assurance serves as a strong foundation for our lives, especially during moments of doubt and negativity. Even when we are burdened by thoughts like: You aren’t good enough” or “You will not succeed”, God’s voice silences them, offering us a future filled with hope and new life. I invite you to take these words into your heart: “You are my beloved child. With you, I am well pleased.” Let it become a foundation for your life.
A Response of Gratitude
Today, dear First Communion children, you have the chance to thank God for your baptism. It is an invitation, like the wise men, to set out on the journey to look for Jesus, to find Him, and to build a friendship with Him. And we can be sure that Jesus does not just wait for us—He looks for us first and wants to be our life-long friend. This joy and confidence was obvious yesterday in our parent-child afternoon, where you carefully and creatively made your glass First Communion cross. You did a wonderful job! Now, as we remember our baptism, you may come forward with your mother or father and bring your baptismal candle with you. It is the chance for you and all of us, to say “yes” once again to Jesus and to God.