Many of us have received the sacrament of baptism. But, do we abide by our baptismal promises? No matter where we are in our commitment, we can deepen our unity with Jesus and embrace the way of life he invites us to follow. We can renew the pledges made at our baptism—whether we made them ourselves or they were made on our behalf. The Church invites us to do this, to renew our commitment and to remind ourselves of our calling. Today’s Gospel reading addresses how our traditions can obscure our vision and impede our adherence to God’s law. We often struggle to see things from different perspectives, leading us to quick judgments because we do not recognize that others live differently and have their own cultures. Our cultures and traditions should not create conflicts; instead, they should serve as a means to express love for both our own and others. With this in mind, how can we evaluate and improve our traditions through the lens of God’s word?

PRAYER: Abba Father, during the challenges and uncertainties I face, I find comfort in your words because you have conquered this world. Amen.