Over the years I have never thanked my parents for having me baptized as an infant. For them it might have simply been a thanksgiving for having me as well as Blessings, grace and protection for me. For some children, they may question their parents as to why they were not given a choice? And for these, some parents reply would probably be to guard their child’s soul in the event of any mishap.
As I reflect on today’s reading and Gospel I am beginning to see that it was not only Baptism, but the ‘Presentation’ all rolled into one. I began my life as a child of God my Heavenly Father consecrated unto Him. I was sanctified and made Holy by my Saviour Jesus Christ. I am dedicated to Him and have hope of life eternal with and through Him. How Great is my God!
For all my three children, they were delivered at Mount Alvernia Hospital in Singapore. And all three were ‘presented’ in a tiny chapel in the hospital. A presiding sister (nun) would lead us through prayer and call upon God’s Blessings. I went through it with joy in my heart but never really dwelled on it or saw the deep connections that had begun that day for my children. All three were dedicated to the Lord our God even before their baptism!
Lord Jesus, I thank You for my parents, please Bless and keep them close to You in Your loving embrace. Most of all I thank You Lord for my Baptism! I am Yours and You are mine. Amen
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First reading
1 Samuel 1:24-28 ·
This is the child I prayed for: he is made over to the Lord.
When Hannah had weaned the infant Samuel, she took him up with her together with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the temple of the Lord at Shiloh; and the child was with them. They slaughtered the bull and the child’s mother came to Eli. She said, ‘If you please, my lord. As you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you, praying to the Lord. This is the child I prayed for, and the Lord granted me what I asked him. Now I make him over to the Lord for the whole of his life. He is made over to the Lord.’
There she left him, for the Lord.
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Gospel
Luke 1:46-56
The Almighty has done great things for me
Mary said:
‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
and my spirit exults in God my saviour;
because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid.
Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed,
for the Almighty has done great things for me.
Holy is his name,
and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him.
He has shown the power of his arm,
he has routed the proud of heart.
He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away.
He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy
– according to the promise he made to our ancestors –
of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’
Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.
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