Pope at Angelus: Our Baptism made us children of God

 By Deborah Castellano Lubov

At our Baptism, we became God's beloved children forever, and this is an occasion to remember and celebrate.

This was the powerful reminder Pope Francis offered to the faithful during his Angelus address in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

As he reflected on the day's Gospel passage, which recalls Jesus' Baptism by St. John the Baptist, the Holy Father reminded the faithful how our Baptism extraordinarily changes our lives and immerses us in His infinite embrace.

Our own Baptism

Our Baptism, Pope Francis continued, has made us, in turn, "children of God."

"It is, in fact, not, like John's, a symbolic gesture, but," the Pope explained, "a real gift of divine, eternal life, an event of grace and communion with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit."

At our Baptism, we are immersed in "His infinite embrace, transmitting to us the power of His saving love."

New life as beloved children

Baptism, he underscored, is the gift not only of a new life, but of becoming, in Jesus, beloved children of God forever.

"Let us make a commitment to seek and remember the date of our Baptism; and today let us thank the Lord because since then He is not only with us, but in us."

"Let us also thank Him," the Pope continued, "for the parents who brought us to the font, for those who administered the Sacrament to us, for the godfather and godmother, for the community in which we received Him."

Questions to ponder

The Pope urged the faithful to ask themselves some questions.

"Am I aware of the immense gift I carry in me because of Baptism? Do I recognize, in my life, the light of God's presence, who sees me as His beloved son, as His beloved daughter?"

In the memory of our Baptism, the Pope invited the faithful to join in welcoming God's presence in us, and doing so with a Sign of the Cross. "Let us do it together: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

"May Mary, temple of the Spirit," the Pope prayed, "help us to celebrate and welcome the wonders the Lord performs in us."

Pope Francis concluded by asking the Blessed Mother to guide our paths, before offering a blessing to those gathered in the Square. 

He also encouraged everyone to remember the date of their baptism, and if they do not know when it was, to find out and celebrate it as you would a birthday.