From the Word of the Day
“Through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
(Galatians 3: 26-27)
How should we live this Word 
‘You are all children of God!’ We tend to hear this so often, it risks becoming too common, as sometimes happens in the family. Normally we take notice of being ‘children’ when we begin to be mothers and fathers. Then we understand the depth of this expression that is not merely a fact.
That we can call God ‘Father’ should not be taken for granted. It is a totally gratuitous and unimaginable gift at the human level. Who would dare desire, and much less ask, for such a thing? Yet, God has dreamed this when He pronounced our name as He called us into existence. The sublime mystery of the Incarnation concretizes right before our eyes what each of us is called to be, children like the Son. We are children ‘in’ the Son, one thing with Him and in Him.
Paul speaks of clothing ourselves with Christ, but it is not to be understood as something we place over our deepest reality, like a dress, separate from me. To be God’s child is in my DNA, in being God’s image and likeness, soiled by the ‘no’ of sin, but that cannot be erased. It only needs arduous restoration not possible for us.
This redemptive work reaches us through Baptism. It is an immersion in Christ’s ‘yes’ to love so that, dead to sin, we may re-emerge new creatures.
Today in my pause for silent contemplation, I will reflect on this sublime mystery to be ever more aware of my filial reality and rejoice over it.
Father, what joy to be able to call You this. It is not merely a manner of saying, but a stupendous reality, thanks to Christ and the Holy Spirit dwelling in me. Grant me a heart that is truly filial so that I may respond to Your gift.
The voice of St. Teresa of Jesus, Carmelite Doctor and Mystic
Since Jesus has given you such a good Father, seek to throw yourself into His arms and enjoy His company.
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