Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!

The feast of the Baptism of Jesus, which we celebrate today, makes us think of many things, including our own Baptism. Jesus joins His people, who are going to receive baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I like to recall the words of a hymn of today’s liturgy: Jesus goes to be baptized by John, “with a bare soul and bare feet”. A bare soul and bare feet.

And when Jesus receives baptism, the Spirit manifests Himself and the Epiphany of God occurs; He reveals His face in the Son and makes His voice heard, which says: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (v. 22). The face and the voice.

First of all, the face. In revealing Himself to be the Father through the Son, God establishes a special space for entering into dialogue and communion with humanity. It is the face of the beloved Son.

In second place, the voice. Face and voice. “You are my beloved Son” (v. 22). This is another sign that accompanies the revelation of Jesus.

Dear brothers and sisters, today’s feast makes us contemplate the face and the voice of God, which are manifested in Jesus’ humanity. And so, let us ask ourselves: do we feel loved? Do I feel loved and accompanied by God, or do I think that God is distant from me? Are we capable of recognizing His face in Jesus and in our brothers and sisters? And are we accustomed to listening to His voice?

I will ask you a question: does every one of you remember the date of your Baptism? This is very important! Think: on what day was I baptized? And if we do not remember, when we arrive home, let us ask our parents or our godparents the date of our Baptism. And let us celebrate this date as if it were a new birthday: that of our birth in the Spirit of God. Do not forget! This is our homework: the date of our Baptism.

Let us entrust ourselves to the Virgin Mary, invoking Her help. And do not forget the date of your Baptism!

I am close to the inhabitants of the County of Los Angeles, California, where devastating fires have been raging in recent days. I pray for you all.

This morning, I had the joy of baptizing some newborns, children of employees of the Holy See and the Swiss Guard. Let us pray for them, for their families. And I would like to ask the Lord, for all young couples, that they have the joy of welcoming the gift of children and bringing them to Baptism.

Don Giovanni Merlini, priest of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, was beatified this morning in the Basilica of Saint John Lateran. Devoted to the missions of his people, he was a prudent advisor to many souls, and a messenger of peace. Let us also invoke his intercession as we pray for peace in Ukraine, in the Middle East and all over the world. A round of applause for the new Blessed!

And let us not neglect to pray for peace, and let us not forget that war is always a defeat. I wish everyone a good Sunday. And please do not forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch and arrivederci!

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