God of Life,
We thank you for this time of exploring.
We pray that you will bless us as we grow in our understanding of your gift of faith.
As we reflect on baptism may our relationship with you as Father Son and Holy Spirit grow deeper.
Amen
We thank you for this time of exploring.
We pray that you will bless us as we grow in our understanding of your gift of faith.
As we reflect on baptism may our relationship with you as Father Son and Holy Spirit grow deeper.
Amen
Baptism is turning towards God, it is turning away from sin to follow Jesus’ commandment to live a life of generosity and love.
People become Christians by a process of conversion, which means ‘turning around’. Baptism happens on one special occasion but becomes a symbol for our whole life. We are able to turn towards Jesus EVERY DAY as we live out our Baptism.
People become Christians by a process of conversion, which means ‘turning around’. Baptism happens on one special occasion but becomes a symbol for our whole life. We are able to turn towards Jesus EVERY DAY as we live out our Baptism.
The Sacraments of Initiation are an ongoing invitation into this life long process of conversion.
To help us live this radical new way of life Jesus gives us guidance in both his actions and his words:
'I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one
another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another'
(John 13:34-35)
'I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one
another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another'
(John 13:34-35)
To show that we are committed to this new way of living we are asked to make promises when we are Baptised but God also makes promises to us.
This is the promise that God makes to us:
"I will never forget you, I will never leave you lonely, I will hold you in the palm of my hand and I will always love you. Jesus is your brother and friend, and our Holy Spirit will be with your forever, in you, around you everywhere, all day everyday. All you need do is be open to my love."
(Taken from various passages of the Holy Bible.)
"I will never forget you, I will never leave you lonely, I will hold you in the palm of my hand and I will always love you. Jesus is your brother and friend, and our Holy Spirit will be with your forever, in you, around you everywhere, all day everyday. All you need do is be open to my love."
(Taken from various passages of the Holy Bible.)
Here are the promises we make when we are Baptised:
I promise to reject Satan and all his works and empty promises?
I promise to believe in God, the Father who made everything, including me, and who loves me? I promise to believe in Jesus Christ the Son of God, who was born of Mary, who died on the cross, rose from the dead and who ascended to heaven? I promise to believe in the Holy Spirit, the Church, the Saints, God's forgiveness, the promise of resurrection and everlasting life? (The above is a slightly shorter version than used in Church.) |
Holy Trinity:
In the Catholic Tradition we believe that God is 3 in 1. Creator, Son, Spirit - One God - Three persons. It's a mystery, we don't understand it, we just believe it. (John 1:1)
We have an ancient prayer called the Nicene Creed which outlines our beliefs and the presence of the Trinity.
In the Catholic Tradition we believe that God is 3 in 1. Creator, Son, Spirit - One God - Three persons. It's a mystery, we don't understand it, we just believe it. (John 1:1)
We have an ancient prayer called the Nicene Creed which outlines our beliefs and the presence of the Trinity.
Nicene Creed:
I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became a man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen. |
Take time everyday this week to read this prayer.
Take some moments to bring to mind those parts that relate to Jesus, God the Son
Take some moments to bring to mind those parts that relate to God the Holy Spirit
Take some moments to bring to mind those parts that relate to God the Father/Creator
Take some moments to bring to mind those parts that relate to Jesus, God the Son
Take some moments to bring to mind those parts that relate to God the Holy Spirit
Take some moments to bring to mind those parts that relate to God the Father/Creator