Baptism of Christ, Andrea Mantegna, c.1505
For some strange reason, Lord,
you depend on me.
What possible need could you have
for my shoulder?
Why should you lean on me?
Yet you do just that.
I am grateful.
It is a challenge and a trust,
an inspiration and a call to character.
If you are willing to depend on me,
weak and clumsy as I am,
I am eager not to fail you.
Lean on me, dear Lord.
At least pretend to find me a help.
May your sweet pretense
make me worthy of your very real trust.
Daniel A. Lord, SJ, 1888 – 1955, American Catholic writer
reflection after being diagnosed with cancer
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Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
But John tried to deter him, saying,
“I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
prayer & verse 