At your Baptism, you were washed and reborn as a child of God, set apart from the world as members of Christ’s Church, and anointed to be a light to the whole world. On the day of your baptism, you were “born of water and Spirit” (John 3:5). Imagine: the priest poured holy water over you to wash you from original sin; he anointed you with sacred chrism oil, signifying the gift of the Holy Spirit; and your baptismal candle was lit from the Easter candle, representing how you had become enlightened by Christ. In today’s Gospel, St. John the Baptist tells us that Christ is “the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit” (John 1:33). John’s baptism of water signified repentance from sin, but Christ baptizes the children of God with “the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 3:11).
What does that mean, to be baptized with fire? The apostles received a baptism of fire at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-41): “And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.” Then, St. Peter proclaimed the Gospel with a beautiful speech (that was probably spontaneous!) to the large crowd that had gathered. They were “cut to the heart” and three thousand people repented and were baptized. Three thousand! Notice the formula: baptism with the Holy Spirit + proclamation of the Gospel = an outpouring of new baptisms. Since we, the Baptized, have received the waters of repentance and the fire of the Holy Spirit, we are called to be a “light to the nations” (Isaiah 49:6) by spreading the warmth and fire of our faith.
Lord Jesus, help me experience the fire that you have baptized me with. Give me the courage to be a light to others by sharing the Good News of salvation.