Student Daily Reflection

[21] Is 42:1-4, 6-7
Ps 29:1-2,3-4,3b+9b-10a
Acts 10:34-38
Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer
The Daily Reflections

“I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

Today’s gospel marks a very special occasion for each and every one of us because it provides a great opportunity—within a very short time of this new year—for us to stop and ask “How am I doing?” and “Where am I going?” It is a time for us to take a brief moment and examine our very own baptisms.

‘I believe’ is a highly powerful phrase for it does something no other phrase does: it makes us the subject and the originator. ‘I believe’ does not allow to blend in with the crowds: its makes us the forefront of our actions, our intents, and our deepest most thoughts. No one can take accountability for “I believe’ statements other than our very selves: stating such, means we are being as honest as we humanly can. ‘I believe’ removes us from the sidelines and makes us a player in the very game called life.

So with this in mind, let us take a moment in deep reflection to really examine what it is we believe in. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to come upon us and to give us the grace to keep leading us towards the Father. And when we have done so, when we have come to our most inner souls, let us recall our very own baptisms. If we truly “do”—truly believe—may we express such and demonstrate such with our daily living.

Do you believe in God the Father, Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?

This is our faith. This is the faith of the Church, we are proud to profess it, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.