Jesus and his disciples went into the land of Judea; there he remained
with them and baptized. John also was baptizing at Ae'non near Salim,
because there was much water there; and people came and were baptized.
For John had not yet been put in prison. -- John 3:22-24
Now a discussion arose between John's disciples and a Jew over purifying. And they came to John, and said to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you
beyond the Jordan, to whom you bore witness, here he is, baptizing, and
all are going to him." -- John 3:25-26
As the people were in expectation,
and all men questioned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps
he were the Christ, -- Luke 3:15
John answered them all, "I baptize you
with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose
sandals I am not worthy to untie; he will baptize you with the Holy
Spirit and with fire. -- Luke 3:16
BAPTISM WITH FIRE
The man who burns with the fire of divine love is a son of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and wherever he goes, he enkindles that flame; he desires and works with all his strength to inflame all men with the fire of God's love. Nothing deters him: he rejoices in poverty; he labours strenuously; he welcomes hardships; he laughs off false accusations; he rejoices in anguish. He thinks only of how he might follow Jesus Christ and imitate him by his prayers, his labours, his sufferings, and by caring always and only for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. -- St Anthony Mary Claret
Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form, as a dove, and a voice came from heaven, "Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased." -- Luke 3:21-22
Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him, he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not fail or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law. -- Isaiah 42:1-4
"I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness." -- Isaiah 42: 1 - 4, 6 - 7
Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the word which he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), the word which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.-- Acts 10:34-38
Lord, your Fire is my Burning Light!
