The Old Testament laver teaches us that cleansing and purity is necessary for all those who would approach God. The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus when John baptized Him in the Jordan River. The dove was real, not symbolic; the Holy Spirit was real, not symbolic. John the Baptist was a witness that Jesus’ baptism was literal, physical, and spiritual. I can know with certainty that through baptism in water the Holy Spirit descends upon me, follows me as the water-Rock in the desert, and reconfigures me into a “new creation” of Christ.

Welcome Kelly K, Diane G, Amanda B, Mark C, Todd S, MaryKatherine B, Allyson M, Marianne F, and Catie W, Bible Study Evangelista's newest friends of the show! Thank you for loving and lifting me :)

LOVE the Word™ is a Bible study method based on Mary's own practice: lectio without the Latin.

L - Listen (Receive the Word.)

O - Observe (Choose one or more of the following personality approaches to connect the passage to your life and recent events.)

F | Franciscan - What does this song inspire you to pray?

I | Ignatian - Have you ever taken a walk or hike, and suddenly realized how parched you were? What did that feel like? Imagine feeling that way, spiritually, for prolonged periods of time. Perhaps you have felt this way for a long time, either recently or in the past. How was/is Jesus your living water?

A | Augustinian - How does this week's show make you understand and appreciate Baptism more? How is Jesus' gift of "living water" meant to help you pour yourself out for others?

T | Thomistic - Perhaps you'd like to renew your baptismal promises:

Baptismal Promises:

Do you reject sin, so as to live in the freedom of God’s children? I do.

Do you reject the glamour of evil, and refuse to be mastered by sin? I do.

Do you reject Satan, father of sin and prince of darkness? I do.

Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth? I do.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father? I do.

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting? I do. 

V - Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)

Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O - Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word journal. Or get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.

E - Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)

Holy Spirit, I come to You, the Fount of Life, to ask, with humility, that You fill my poor heart with those Living Waters. Let my heart overflow with love for everyone, with every intention of my will, with every word upon my lips, with every deed which I perform. May my heart be a Temple of the Most Holy Trinity, that all who approach me, may find within me, the living and abiding presence of Your love. May the Spirit of Your love never lay dormant within me, but pour forth to embrace, comfort, guide and sustain all the souls who You choose to have cross my path in life. This I ask through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen Amen +

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*LOVE the Word™ exercises are offered according to FIAT: the four personalities, or "prayer forms," explored in Prayer and Temperament, by Chester Michael and Marie Norrisey: Franciscan, Ignatian, Augustinian, and Thomistic: FIAT! These prayer forms correspond to the Myers-Briggs ...