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There
is perhaps no more beautiful celebration than when parents bring their
newborn child to the waters of baptism. Parents, godparents, family, and
friends share in this sacrament with incomparable joy. For in baptism,
we share in Christ’s death and resurrection, and through the outward
signs of water and oil, are made children of God and given the hope of eternal life with Him.
Through
our Lord Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven, death is overcome, and
life is victorious. We are called to be signs of hope to all people,
especially those whose goodness, value, and dignity are undermined. As
members of the Body of Christ, we carry this hope with us as we continue
Jesus’ mission on earth.
Sadly,
there is a devastating absence of hope today. We see this most
profoundly in a sweeping disregard for human life in its most vulnerable
forms and stages. Abortion and assisted suicide are products of
hopelessness and despair. Yet even amid the increasing attacks on human
life, we know that the “storms that buffet us will never prevail, for we
are firmly anchored in the hope born of grace, which enables us to live
in Christ and to overcome sin, fear and death.”1
We
have been entrusted with a message of hope for the woman who finds
herself unexpectedly pregnant or for the man diagnosed with a terminal
illness. At these challenging moments, we must bring God’s presence,
witnessing to His love, and inspiring a renewal of hope in those whose
hearts are burdened. For “hope is born of love and based on the love
springing from the pierced heart of Jesus upon the cross.”2 Confident of God’s presence within us, may we share the Gospel of Life with those most in need of hope.
Reflection adapted from “Life: Our Sign of Hope” (respectlife.org/life-our-sign-of-hope).
1 Pope Francis, Spes non confundit, 25.
2 Ibid, 3.
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