Yesterday, during a meeting of the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) group at St. Tom’s, we discussed the topic of baptism. Seemed fitting since yesterday was the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Also seemed fitting since there are a few of the OCIA participants who will be baptized during this year’s Easter Vigil (if they feel they’re ready).

A quote attributed to Fr. Pedro Arrupe, SJ (1907-1991) was aa part of the discussion. I hadn’t heard this quote before, but it really does encapsulate one of the gifts we receive at our Baptism and, if we chose, can get us through even the darkest days.

Nothing is more Practical than
Finding God that is, than
Falling in Love
in a Quite Absolute, Final Way.

What you are in Love with,
What Seizes your Imagination,
will affect everything.

It will decide
What will get you our of bed in the Morning,
What you do with your Evenings,
How you spend your Weekends,
What you Read,
Whom you know,
What Breaks your heart, 
and What Amazes you with
Joy and Gratitude.

Fall in Love, Stay in Love,
and it will Decide Everything.

God loves me. He loves you.
I love God, even though I don’t fully understand Him.

And, especially these last few years (and I’ll write more on that sometime soon), is making all the difference in my life.

May He bless you and make that same difference for you this new year and beyond.