The Lord God grasps our right hands (Is 41:13). This is His way of saying: "Fear not, I will help you" (Is 41:13). He frees us from fear and helps us by changing us from being like worms and maggots (Is 41:14) to being like "a threshing sledge, sharp, new, and double-edged" (Is 41:15). The Lord saves us by changing our nature.

Therefore, "all that matters is that one is created anew" (Gal 6:15). Jesus proclaimed: "I solemnly assure you, no one can see the reign of God unless he is begotten from above" (Jn 3:3). "Through baptism into His death we were buried with Him, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live a new life" (Rm 6:4). "This means that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old order has passed away; now all is new!" (2 Cor 5:17) "He saved us; not because of any righteous deeds we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the baptism of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit" (Ti 3:5).

Let us live fully our new lives. Let us live our Baptisms. Pope John Paul II has taught that the purpose of our entire existence is to understand and live the radical newness of Baptism (Lay Members of Christ's Faithful People, 10). Renew your baptismal promises and prepare for Christ's coming this Christmas season. Jesus had the nature of man so that we can share in His divine nature (2 Pt 1:4). In that new nature, we are saved, freed, helped, and redeemed. Live your new nature in Jesus.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, May 30, 2001

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 4, 2001