RE-BAPTIZED? - One Bread, One Body, 12/6/2009

For Advent listen to Fr. Al Lauer's "Daily Bread" radio program on the
Internet. There are rich teachings each day to help you prepare for
Christmas. You can listen online, download in MP3 format or subscribe to
the podcast.

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Sunday, December 6, 2009, Second Sunday of Advent

Baruch 5:1-9, Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11, Psalm 126:1-6, Luke 3:1-6
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/120609.shtml

RE-BAPTIZED?

"He went about the entire region of the Jordan proclaiming a baptism of
repentance which led to the forgiveness of sins." —Luke 3:3

Human beings have the tendency to immerse themselves in something. This is
the meaning of baptism. We usually think of baptism as a religious term,
of being baptized into Christ. Yet we can be baptized into many things.
For example, the Bible speaks of being baptized into Moses (1 Cor 10:2)
and baptized into pain (Mk 10:38). Alcoholics are baptized into alcohol.
They are preoccupied with drinking. Many are immersed in gambling, TV,
pornography, sports, eating, smoking, shopping, working, etc.

As we near Christmas, we see millions baptized into consumerism and
self-indulgence. Our compulsions tend to become our immersions. In today's
Scripture readings, the Church calls us to come out of the Dead Sea of
perversion-immersions and get re-baptized. If we have already been
baptized into Christ, we don't have to be re-baptized in a Church, but we
must be re-baptized into repentance (Mt 3:6) and into the Holy Spirit and
fire (Mt 3:11).

We're all living out a baptism. We can't help it. That's the way we're
made. We must immerse ourselves in something. However, we defile ourselves
if we immerse ourselves into anything other than the living waters of life
in Christ and in the Spirit. If, however, we plunge into the waters of the
Spirit, we are purified and given new, abundant life. Change immersions.

Prayer: Father, may I let You re-baptize me this Advent.

Promise: "The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad indeed." —Ps
126:3

Praise: Praise Jesus, Whose own Baptism foretold the graces that awaited
each of us.

(For a related teaching, order our tape series "Baptismal Promises "on
audio AV 83-1, AV 83-3, AV 84-1, AV 84-3 or our video series starting with
V-83.)

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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my
permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from
December 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, June 4, 2009

The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be
free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have
granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or
statements expressed.

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