post-baptismal
“The man was immediately cured; he picked up his mat and began to walk.” —John 5:9
At the pool of Bethesda, Jesus healed a man who had been sick for thirty-eight years (Jn 5:5). Although Jesus had dramatically changed this man’s life, the man did not know Who Jesus was (Jn 5:13) and had not as yet given up his sins (Jn 5:14).
At the baptismal font or pool where we were baptized, Jesus gave us a new nature. We became new creations (Gal 6:15) and were begotten from above (Jn 3:3, 5). Although Jesus has changed our lives, many baptized people do not know Jesus personally and have not given up their sins.
Just as Jesus sought out the man He had healed, so through His Church He seeks out each of us. He calls us to renew our baptismal promises by rejecting Satan, all his works, and all his empty promises, and by believing in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1254). On Easter, Jesus will say to all the baptized: “Give up your sins so that something worse may not overtake you” (Jn 5:14).
We do not know whether the man healed at the waters of Bethesda came to know Jesus and to repent of his sins. Will we who have been changed through the waters of Baptism know Jesus and repent?
Prayer: Father, may I live the radical newness of my Baptism.
Promise: “Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of every kind shall grow; their leaves shall not fade, nor their fruit fail. Every month they shall bear fresh fruit, for they shall be watered by the flow from the sanctuary.” —Ez 47:12
Praise: St. Patrick prayed that when people would speak of him, they would be prompted to think of Christ.
Reference: (For a related teaching on Lent and the Renewal of Our Baptismal Promises, view, download or order our leaflet on our website.)
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