promise-keepers
"You must reform and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ." —Acts 2:38
"Those who accepted his message were baptized; some three thousand were added that day." —Acts 2:41
Three weeks ago, at Easter Sunday Mass, the Church led us to renew our baptismal promises. We prepared for this renewal by forty days of Lenten penance through almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. The Lord wants these baptismal promises to be the center of our year and the foundation of our life in Him.
How aware (see Rm 6:3) are you of having renewed your baptismal promises three weeks ago? Have you turned off the TV after remembering you had rejected all of Satan's empty promises? Have you decided not to buy something because you had rejected all of Satan's works? When you are tempted to be manipulated by fear, do you resist because you believe God is your Father? Has your faith in Jesus' lordship affected your decision-making? Has your belief in the Holy Spirit noticeably affected your lifestyle?
On Easter Sunday, when we renewed our baptismal promises, we repented from all our sins, accepted Jesus as Savior, Lord, and God, sold all that we had to enter God's kingdom (Mt 13:44-46), and surrendered our lives to the Holy Spirit. Now we must keep and apply the promises we've made.
Prayer: Father, may I help someone realize what he or she did when renewing their baptismal promises.
Promise: "I came that they might have life and have it to the full." —Jn 10:10
Praise: Praise Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith (Heb 12:2). Alleluia!
Reference: (To renew your baptismal covenant, use our tape series Baptismal Promises on audio AV 83-1, AV 83-3, AV 84-1, AV 84-3 or our video series starting with V-83.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 23, 2007
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