One of the sacraments that I enjoy celebrating the most is the sacrament of baptism. It is always a joyous occasion. A young child has recently been welcomed into their family with great happiness and celebration, and now they are being welcomed into another family - the church family. It is in this new family where the children become brothers and sisters, sons and daughters of God, and temples of the Holy Spirit.
The moment's happiness is undeniable, particularly when parents and godparents approach the baptismal font, and the celebrant pours water over the child's head. Before and after the baptism, each child is blessed with special oils, the oil of catechumens and the oil of chrism. The baptismal shawl is draped around the baby, and the baptismal candle is lit. The entire event is inspiring in a way exclusive to this sacrament.
The Significance of Our Baptism
Today, we are celebrating the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus, which is an excellent day to reflect on the significance of our baptism. Jesus' baptism was a pivotal moment in His life, marking the start of His public ministry and a new beginning.
In this significant moment, Jesus was confident that God His Father favored Him, as He heard the words, 'You are my Son, the Beloved; my favor rests on You', and the Holy Spirit empowered Him. It was a new beginning for Jesus to be baptized by John when he was an adult, just as it was for us to be baptized when we were children.
On our baptism day:
- We began a journey to become disciples of Jesus
- We received assurance of God's love
- We were empowered by the Holy Spirit
- We joined Jesus' family of disciples and the Church
This significant occasion can shape our lives to align with God's purpose.
An Adult Personal Commitment
As children, we are baptized into the faith. However, as adults, we have the opportunity to confirm our baptism and make a personal commitment to the Lord. This adult 'yes' to the Lord is a significant step in our spiritual journey. It may happen in our late twenties, thirties, forties, or even later when we are ready to fully commit ourselves with our hearts, souls, and minds. Essentially, we spend the rest of our lives catching up to that day of a new beginning.
Directions for Our Journey
A man was driving down country roads where signposts were scarce. He was unsure of his directions and asked the first person he saw. A farmer driving his cows home appeared, so he stopped and asked if he was on the right road to Mallow. The farmer told him that he was, in fact, on the Mallow Road. The driver thanked him and was about to continue when the farmer added, in a cold tone, "You're on the right road, but you're going in the wrong direction!"
Our baptism marks the beginning of a journey we are all called to undertake. This journey holds a significant purpose for each one of us. As Christians, we need a clear sense of direction and a pattern to guide us in our faith journey. As we plan a journey before setting out, we need to know where we are headed and how to get there.
Let us commit ourselves to walk with Jesus Christ in our journey of faith, finding our deepest joy and fulfilment in Him.
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