Infinitely Happy
The Baptism of the Lord (C)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 3: 15-16, 21-22 – The people were filled with expectation and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This Gospel passage is of particular importance because it reveals the Blessed Trinity to us in sensory form. There are three divine “Persons”: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Each of them is infinite in Himself and fully possesses the Divine Nature. They are distinct Persons. However, these three distinct Persons are not separate. They are united in an eternal bond of self-giving love. (The closest image of “distinct but not separate” persons is the bond between husband and wife, in which “two become one.”)
The Catechism starts (in the first paragraph) by saying that God is “infinitely perfect and blessed in Himself.” This means that God needs nothing else to be more blessed or happy. He is infinitely happy. So why does God make us if He doesn’t need us for any reason? He makes us for our own sake. He makes us capable of receiving an immense happiness so that we can be eternally blessed by sharing in His own Blessed Life. We exist to exist in God. God cares immensely about our happiness!
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above.(Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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