CHRISTIANS have been admonished to avoid occasions of sin bearing in mind that baptism has cleansed them from original sin.
Rev. Fr. Victor Ijeh, made the call on Sunday while delivering a Homily at the Catholic Church of the Ascension, Asaba, Delta State.
According to him, 2021 is a year of unending blessing and with the celebration of the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus Christ, the celebration of Christmas has ended..
“This is second Sunday of the year, 2021 and we are celebrating the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord; it is a celebration that marks the end of Christmas season.
“With the celebration of today, the Christmas season comes to an end and we enter the season of ordinary time.
“Today’s celebration is a reminder that as baptised Christians, we should avoid every occasion of sin as we begin the year and if we know that we have sinned, we should confess our sins and be free of sin.
“For those who are yet to be baptised, this is a reminder of the need to be baptised and be free of sin so that you can enjoy the blessings of the year.
“During the baptism of our Lord, a voice was heard saying, ‘this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.’
“Jesus revealed Himself to man; Jesus is God, He is the revealed image of God.
“He said, “before Abraham, I am.’
“Jesus mission on earth is to save sinners; His baptism in Jordan is to sanctify the water of baptism because, by one man came sin and by one man came salvation.
“As we move into the year, we should endeavour to avoid occasions of sin, look up the Jesus and live our lives doing good.”