Episode 09: Baptism
An opening mediation
“At Baptism, I received grace — that quality that makes me share in the very nature of God.”
To Quench a Thirst
Some of the most moving Psalms speak of Baptism, that first quenching of our soul's thirst for God.
“Longing for God’s Presence in the Temple As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God.
When can I enter and see the face of God? My tears have been my bread day and night, as they ask me every day, “Where is your God?” Those times I recall as I pour out my soul, When I would cross over to the shrine of the Mighty One, to the house of God, Amid loud cries of thanksgiving, with the multitude keeping festival.
Why are you downcast, my soul; why do you groan within me? Wait for God, for I shall again praise him, my savior and my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I remember you From the land of the Jordan and Hermon, from Mount Mizar, Deep calls to deep in the roar of your torrents, and all your waves and breakers sweep over me. By day may the Lord send his mercy, and by night may his righteousness be with me! I will pray to the God of my life, I will say to God, my rock: “Why do you forget me? Why must I go about mourning with the enemy oppressing me?” It shatters my bones, when my adversaries reproach me, when they say to me every day: “Where is your God?” Why are you downcast, my soul, why do you groan within me? Wait for God, for I shall again praise him, my savior and my God. ”
“A Christening Prayer
May God bless and keep you always,
May your wishes all come true,
May you always do for others
And let others do for you.
My you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young
May you grow up to be righteous,
May you grow up to be true,
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you.
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young
May your hands always be busy,
May your feet always be swift,
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift.
May your heart always be joyful
May your song always be sung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young”
“Ardent Longing for God, O God, you are my God— it is you I seek! For you my body yearns; for you my soul thirsts, In a land parched, lifeless, and without water.
I look to you in the sanctuary to see your power and glory. For your love is better than life; my lips shall ever praise you! I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands, calling on your name. My soul shall be sated as with choice food, with joyous lips my mouth shall raise you! I think of you upon my bed, I remember you through the watches of the night You indeed are my savior, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.
My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me.
But those who seek my life will come to ruin; they hall go down to the depths of the netherworld! hose who would hand over my life to the sword shall become the prey of jackals! But the king shall rejoice in God;
all who swear by the Lord shall exult, but the mouths of liars will be shut! ”
“God the Savior of Those in Distress “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his mercy endures forever!” Let that be the prayer of the Lord’s redeemed, those redeemed from the hand of the foe, Those gathered from foreign lands, from east and west, from north and south. Some had lost their way in a barren desert;
found no path toward a city to live in. They were hungry and thirsty; their life was ebbing away. In their distress they cried to the Lord, who rescued them in their peril, Guided them by a direct path so they reached a city to live in. Let them thank the Lord for his mercy, such wondrous deeds for the children of Adam.
For he satisfied the thirsty, filled the hungry with good things. Some lived in darkness and gloom, imprisoned in misery and chains. Because they rebelled against God’s word, and scorned the counsel of the Most High,
He humbled their hearts through hardship; they stumbled with no one to help. In their distress they cried to the Lord, who saved them in their peril; He brought them forth from darkness and the shadow of death and broke their chains asunder. Let them thank the Lord for his mercy, such wondrous deeds for the children of Adam. For he broke down the gates of bronze and snapped the bars of iron. Some fell sick from their wicked ways, afflicted because of their sins.
They loathed all manner of food; they were at the gates of death. In their distress they cried to the Lord,
who saved them in their peril, Sent forth his word to heal them, and snatched them from the grave. Let them thank the Lord for his mercy, such wondrous deeds for the children of Adam. Let them offer a sacrifice in thanks, recount his works with shouts of joy.
Some went off to sea in ships, plied their trade on the deep waters. They saw the works of the Lord, the wonders of God in the deep. He commanded and roused a storm wind; it tossed the waves on high.
They rose up to the heavens, sank to the depths; their hearts trembled at the danger. They reeled, staggered like drunkards; their skill was of no avail. In their distress they cried to the Lord, who brought them out of their peril; He hushed the storm to silence, the waves of the sea were stilled. They rejoiced that the sea grew calm, that God brought them to the harbor they longed for. Let them thank the Lord for his mercy, such wondrous deeds for the children of Adam. Let them extol him in the assembly of the people, and praise him in the council of the elders. God changed rivers into desert, springs of water into thirsty ground,
Fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the wickedness of its people. He changed the desert into pools of water, arid land into springs of water, And settled the hungry there; they built a city to live in. They sowed fields and planted vineyards, brought in an abundant harvest .God blessed them, and they increased greatly, and their livestock did not decrease.
But he poured out contempt on princes, made them wander trackless wastes, Where they were diminished and brought low through misery and cruel oppression.
While he released the poor man from affliction, and increased their families like flocks. The upright saw this and rejoiced; all wickedness shut its mouth. Whoever is wise will take note of these things, and ponder the merciful deeds of the Lord.”
“By three immersions and as many invocations, the great mystery of Baptism is performed. So the appearance of death is conveyed, and through the handing over of divine knowledge the baptized are enlightened. Therefore, if there is any grace in the water, it is not because of any power the water may possess, but because it derives from the power of the Spirit. . . . The Lord, to prepare us for the risen life, lays before us all the gospel precepts. We must avoid anger, endure evil, be free from the love of pleasure and the love of money. So by our own choice we shall achieve those things which are the natural endowments of the world to come. ”
Weekly
Prayer
Intentions
To be prayed daily
Pause for some silence
Pause for some silence
The Sign of the Cross
Start by touching your right hand to your forehead, then your stomach, followed by your left and right shoulders while saying "In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen"
Self-Dedication to Jesus Christ
Lord, take all my freedom. Accept my memory, my understanding, and my will. You have given me all that I have or hold dear.
I return it to you, that it may be governed by your will. Give me only your grace, and the gift of loving you. And I will be rich enough; I will ask for nothing more. Amen.
Specific intentions:
Lord, send me your Spirit, so that I may grow in faith.
Lord, send me your Spirit, so that I may grow in love.
Lord, send me your Spirit, to fill my life with hope.
Personal intentions:
Please add your own intentions here.
Our Father:
Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Glory Be:
Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end, Amen.
Weekly
Journal
Prompt
Weekly Readings
Baptism is the beginning of the spiritual life, the first introduction of the soul to grace. We call the baptized reborn, dead to sin and invited to participate in the apostolic and missionary activity of the Church. Why is it necessary to focus on the dying part? Do you remember your baptism? Did you feel different after it happened, if you were old enough to remember? If you are awaiting baptism, how do you think it will change you? Take a few minutes to write down your thoughts on these personal reflections.
Click on the Link to download each of the articles for further reading this week.
The Importance of the Sacraments
What are sacraments and why 7? Click here to download
The Sacrament of Baptism
Why is Baptism the beginning? Click here to download
Jesus’ Own Baptism
Why did Jesus need to be baptized? Click here to download
Weekly Activity:
Spiritual Renewal
This week your task is straightforward but may prove uncomfortable.
Psalm 62: 5-8
5For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 7 On God rests my deliverance and my honor;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God. 8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.
In order to continue to renew our spirits, they need to rest in the Lord in silence. Our minds are constantly bombarded with messages, noises, and new information. This continuous onslaught of hecticness never gives us time for contemplation or reflection. But when we are under water, sounds are always muffled, blunted, softer. This is what should happen to us at baptism. We should forever hear the world and its din as if we were under water.
So your task for this week is as follows:
Find fie minutes every day this week just to sit in silence. If all of your environments are noisy, try earplugs.
Turn off everything that can make noise and disturb you during your moment of daily silence.
If you can't go for a whole five minutes at first, then try smaller amounts of time and build up each day, 1 min, 2 mins, etc.
Be still. Whether you are sitting or standing, avoid distracting yourself with your own noise.
Close your eyes during your silent time if it helps you concentrate.
It is in silence that we learn to listen to God. Enjoy your rest.