Maria with her newborn, Patrick, in NICU 8 years ago. After a traumatic birth Patrick made rapid strides back to a normal healthy boy!
Today his words of teaching to his family about the power of the Word - the Name of God is ringing in my heart, mind and soul after The Office of the Readings - St Justin the Martyr
SECOND READING
From the first apology in defense of the Christians by Saint Justin, martyr
(Cap. 61: Quasten, Florilegium Patristicum, 14-16)
Baptismal regeneration
Through Christ we received new life and we consecrated ourselves to God. I will explain the way in which we did this. Those who believe what we teach is true and who give assurance of their ability to live according to that teaching are taught to ask God’s forgiveness for their sins by prayer and fasting and we pray and fast with them. We then lead them to a place where there is water and they are reborn in the same way as we were reborn; that is to say, they are washed in the water in the name of God, the Father and Lord of the whole universe, of our Savior Jesus Christ and of the Holy Spirit. This is done because Christ said: Unless you are born again you will not enter the kingdom of heaven, and it is impossible for anyone, having once been born, to reenter his mother’s womb.
An explanation of how repentant sinners are to be freed from their sins is given through the prophet Isaiah in the words: Wash yourselves and be clean. Remove the evil from your souls; learn to do what is right. Be just to the orphan, vindicate the widow. Come, let us reason together, says the Lord. If your sins are like scarlet, I will make them white as wool; if they are like crimson, I will make them white as snow. But if you do not heed me, you shall be devoured by the sword. The mouth of the Lord has spoken.
The apostles taught us the reason for this ceremony of ours. Our first birth took place without our knowledge or consent because our parents came together, and we grew up in the midst of wickedness. So if we were not to remain children of necessity and ignorance, we needed a new birth of which we ourselves would be conscious, and which would be the result of our own free choice. We needed, too, to have our sins forgiven. This is why the name of God, the Father and Lord of the whole universe, is pronounced in the water over anyone who chooses to be born again and who has repented of his sins. The person who leads the candidate for baptism to the font calls upon God by this name alone, for God so far surpasses our powers of description that no one can really give a name to him. Anyone who dares to say that he can must be hopelessly insane.
This baptism is called “illumination” because of the mental enlightenment that is experienced by those who learn these things. The person receiving this enlightenment is also baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and in the name of the Holy Spirit, who through the prophets foretold everything concerning Jesus.
From the first apology in defense of the Christians by Saint Justin, martyr
(Cap. 61: Quasten, Florilegium Patristicum, 14-16)
Baptismal regeneration
Through Christ we received new life and we consecrated ourselves to God. I will explain the way in which we did this. Those who believe what we teach is true and who give assurance of their ability to live according to that teaching are taught to ask God’s forgiveness for their sins by prayer and fasting and we pray and fast with them. We then lead them to a place where there is water and they are reborn in the same way as we were reborn; that is to say, they are washed in the water in the name of God, the Father and Lord of the whole universe, of our Savior Jesus Christ and of the Holy Spirit. This is done because Christ said: Unless you are born again you will not enter the kingdom of heaven, and it is impossible for anyone, having once been born, to reenter his mother’s womb.
An explanation of how repentant sinners are to be freed from their sins is given through the prophet Isaiah in the words: Wash yourselves and be clean. Remove the evil from your souls; learn to do what is right. Be just to the orphan, vindicate the widow. Come, let us reason together, says the Lord. If your sins are like scarlet, I will make them white as wool; if they are like crimson, I will make them white as snow. But if you do not heed me, you shall be devoured by the sword. The mouth of the Lord has spoken.
The apostles taught us the reason for this ceremony of ours. Our first birth took place without our knowledge or consent because our parents came together, and we grew up in the midst of wickedness. So if we were not to remain children of necessity and ignorance, we needed a new birth of which we ourselves would be conscious, and which would be the result of our own free choice. We needed, too, to have our sins forgiven. This is why the name of God, the Father and Lord of the whole universe, is pronounced in the water over anyone who chooses to be born again and who has repented of his sins. The person who leads the candidate for baptism to the font calls upon God by this name alone, for God so far surpasses our powers of description that no one can really give a name to him. Anyone who dares to say that he can must be hopelessly insane.
This baptism is called “illumination” because of the mental enlightenment that is experienced by those who learn these things. The person receiving this enlightenment is also baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and in the name of the Holy Spirit, who through the prophets foretold everything concerning Jesus.
Would not this beautiful writing and dad's pointing out to me bring me to the most powerful moment when I baptized my hours old critically ill grandson, Patrick, in the middle of the night in NICU surrounded by doctors, nurses, ambulance personnel and tiny infants? Water and "I baptize you in the name of the Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit." Little Lamb Patrick came into The Church and found healing and comfort!
Responsorial Psalm 66:1-3a, 4-5, 6-7a
R. (1) Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth,
sing praise to the glory of his name;
proclaim his glorious praise.
Say to God, “How tremendous are your deeds!”
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“Let all on earth worship and sing praise to you,
sing praise to your name!”
Come and see the works of God,
his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
A Psalm after Dad's own heart!
So here I am between Patrick and my dad, and filled with so much gratitude for all the Lord has done and continues to do for our domestic Church/family! I love to be led deeper and rejoice with all my heart, mind and soul to the highest heaven in the name of the Father, Son and The Holy Spirit! Amen and Hallelujah
John's story continues to this day with wife and 2 babies! God is good all the time!His prayer ministry continues on a daily basis! I am blessed with our hour of Adoration overlapping and how we pray in front of our Lord in the monstrance! Bless-bless, Barbara
"No one will have any other desire in heaven
than what God wills;
and the desire of one will be the desire of all;
and the desire of all and of each one
will also be the desire of God."
and the desire of all and of each one
will also be the desire of God."
St. Anselm, Letter 112
"I adore and venerate You
as much as ever I can,
as much as ever I can,
though my love is so cold,
my devotion so poor.
my devotion so poor.
Thank You for the good gift
of this Your holy Body and Blood,
which I desire to receive...that which
You promised through Your truth,
You promised through Your truth,
that my joy may be full…"
St Anselm
nee Italy ~ 1033-1109
Archbishop of Canterbury
Benedictine monk, theologian, philosopher
"Father of Scholasticism"
Doctor of the Church
Feast Day - April 21
Danielle Rose - so blessed by her music written in front of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament!Danielle Rose - True love - the Cross!
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