FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD - Pope Angelus: January 10, 2016 (FULL TEXT: ENGLISH)

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
On this Sunday after the Epiphany we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus, and make grateful memory of our baptism. In this context, this morning I baptized 26 newborns : pray for them!

The Gospel presents Jesus in the waters of the Jordan River, in the middle of a wonderful divine revelation. St Luke writes: "While Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened, and descended upon him the Holy Spirit in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came from heaven:" You are the Son my beloved, in you I am well pleased '"( Lk 3,21-22). In this way Jesus is consecrated and manifest by the Father as the Messiah liberator and savior.
In this event - witnessed by all four Gospels - did the transition from the baptism of John the Baptist, based on the symbol of water, the baptism of Jesus' Holy Spirit and with fire "( Lk 3:16). The Holy Spirit in fact Christian Baptism is the principal architect is the one that burns and destroys the original sin, the baptized restoring the beauty of divine grace; It is the One who delivers us from the dominion of darkness, that is, of sin, and we moved into the realm of light, that is love, truth and peace: this is the realm of light. Think of what dignity lifts us Baptism! "See what love the Father has given us should be called children of God, and so we are!" ( 1 Jn 3,1), says the apostle John. This stupendous reality of being children of God involves a responsibility to follow Jesus, the obedient Servant, and reproduce in ourselves his features: that meekness, humility, tenderness. And this is not easy, especially when all around us there is so much intolerance, arrogance, harshness. But with the strength that comes from the Holy Spirit you can!
The Holy Spirit, received for the first time on the day of our Baptism, we open our hearts to the truth, the whole truth. The Spirit leads our life in the path difficult but joyful charity and solidarity with our brothers. The Spirit gives us the tenderness of God's forgiveness and pervades us with the invincible power of the Father's mercy. Do not forget that the Holy Spirit is a living presence and life-giving for those who accept it, prays in us and fills us with spiritual joy.

Today, the feast of the Baptism of Jesus, we think of the day of our Baptism. All of us were baptized, thank you for this gift. And I make you a question: Which of you know the date of his baptism? Surely not all. So I invite you to go and look for the date, asking for example to your parents, your grandparents, your godparents, or going in the parish. It 'very important to know, because it is a date to celebrate: it is the date of our rebirth as children of God. For this, homework for this week: go look for the date of my baptism. Celebrate that day means to reaffirm our adherence to Jesus, with the commitment to live as Christians, members of the Church and of a new humanity, in which all are brothers.
The Virgin Mary, the first disciple of her Son Jesus, help us to live with joy and apostolic zeal our baptism, receiving every day the gift of the Holy Spirit, who makes us children of God.
After the Angelus:
Dear brothers and sisters,
I greet all of you, the faithful of Rome and pilgrims who have come from Italy and other countries.
I greet in particular the students of Bachiller Diego Sánchez de Talavera La Real, Spain; the choir of the Alpini of Martinengo with family members; the group of teenagers in San Bernardo Lodi.
As I said, on this feast of the Baptism of Jesus, according to tradition I baptized several children . Now I would like to convey a special blessing to all children who have been baptized recently, but also young people and adults who have just received the sacraments of Christian initiation, or who are preparing them. Christ's grace always be with them!
And I wish you all a good Sunday. Do not forget your homework: look for the date of my baptism. And please, do not forget also to pray for me. Good lunch and goodbye!