let me see your i. d.
"No one who denies the Son has the Father, but whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well." —1 John 2:23
When John the Baptist was asked: "Who are you?" (Jn 1:19), he identified himself according to his relationship to Christ (see Jn 1:23ff). We too are frequently questioned concerning our identity. People say or at least think: "Who do you think you are?" or "Who are you to tell me what to do?" Like John, we should identify ourselves according to our relationship to Christ. We should see ourselves first of all as "Christians," disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our heritage, marriage, occupation, wealth, or fame are not nearly so important as the fact that we as Christians have been baptized into Christ.
Therefore:
- Live always and fully your Baptism into Christ.
- Fix your eyes on Jesus (Heb 12:2).
- "Know nothing...except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified" (1 Cor 2:2).
- Speak clearly, unequivocally, and increasingly of Jesus Christ (Church in America, Pope John Paul II, 66-67).
- Acknowledge Jesus publicly (Mt 10:32) and never give Jesus the "silent treatment" (see Lk 22:57ff).
Fill your life, family, church, neighborhood, and city with the proclamation of the name Jesus.
Prayer: Father, make this the year of Jesus in my life.
Promise: "This is the promise that He made us: eternal life." —1 Jn 2:25
Praise: St. Basil lived his Baptism fully by being a champion of the Church's liberty in the face of secular pressures.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend David L. Zink, June 12, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 13, 2002