Msgr. Peter J. Vaghi
Title of Series: "Sacraments: The Catholic Faith Celebrated"

Part 2: "Baptism: Gateway to the Christian Life"

November 1st, 2007
First Thursday

Today’s theme, this second meditation in my series this year on THE CATHOLIC FAITH CELEBRATED is entitled “Baptism: Gateway to Christian Life.”

The first residential Archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Patrick O'Boyle, was once asked the question -- what was the most important day of his life? You would have thought his answer would be: the day
he was ordained a priest or perhaps more obviously the day he became a Cardinal of the Church -- that most exclusive club in the world. But his answer was immediate and clear. He was reported to say -- "the day of my Baptism."

There is much wisdom in that response. The challenge of this November meditation, as we study this first of the three sacraments of initiation, is to help make the response of that wonderful first residential Archbishop of Washington credible and understandable.

As if to underscore the importance of Baptism as well, Benedict XVI’s first chapter in his recent book Jesus of Nazareth is entitled the “Baptism of Jesus.” He inaugurates His public ministry in the waters of the Jordan by the baptism of His precursor and cousin John the Baptist. The Pope writes: “Jesus’ Baptism anticipated his death on the cross, and the heavenly voice proclaimed an anticipation of the Resurrection. These anticipations have now become reality. John’s baptism with water has received its full meaning through the Baptism of Jesus’ own life and death. To accept the invitation to be baptized now means to go to the place of Jesus’ Baptism. It is to go where he identifies himself with us and to receive our identification with him. The point where he anticipates death has now become the point where we anticipate rising again with him.” (p.18)

So important was Baptism for Jesus, that His final words in Matthew’s gospel, His mission statement to his disciples, was “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Mt 28:19) Referring to these words, Pope Benedict writes: “The Baptism that Jesus’ disciples have been administering since he spoke those words is an entrance into the master’s own Baptism -- into the reality that he anticipated by means of it. That is the way to become a Christian.” (p. 23) And so, then, our theme today is -- “Baptism: the Gateway to Christian Life.”

Before looking specifically at the sacrament of Baptism, first a word about our approach for these remaining seven First Thursday meditations. We are focusing this year on the second part of both the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults -- the Faith Celebrated, i.e. the sacraments. The sacraments, each instituted by Christ Himself, touch the various stages and important moments of the Christian life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that the sacraments “give birth and increase, healing and mission to the Christian's life of faith. There is thus a certain resemblance between the stages of natural life and the stages of the spiritual life." CCC 1210

Having said that, may I quickly remind you, as I emphasized in my first meditation, that it would be a mistake to consider the 7 sacraments as merely isolated events with no link to each other or to Christ and His Church. They are various aspects of the One Paschal or Easter Mystery -- various aspects of one Mystery. Each in their own way is a prolongation in time and space of that unique mystery of Jesus Christ -- His passion, death and resurrection. Each sacramental encounter brings us in touch with the living and risen Jesus Christ, an encounter which changes and transforms us, i.e. gives us grace.

Baptism, that most important day in a Christian's life, is the gateway to the sacramental life in the Church. The Catechism calls it "the basis of the whole Christian life." "The person baptized belongs no longer to himself, but to Him who died and rose for us." CCC 1 The baptized becomes forever a member of the living body of the risen Christ. As Pope Benedict writes about Baptism: “It is to go where He identifies himself with us and to receive our identification with Him. The point where He anticipates death has now become the point where we anticipate rising again with Him.” (p.18)

Baptism is thus the first of three sacraments of initiation. The others are Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. Baptism was not just an event when you were a child (for most of us), or later for some, an occasion for a family celebration, a one day celebration, a way to escape limbo, an opportunity to
be cleansed of original sin. It is all of the above but so much more. Baptism is a lifetime challenge. Baptism is the daily challenge to live out those promises we made (or our sponsor made for us) on the day of our Baptism -- the rejection of sin and the profession of our Catholic faith.

But what makes it possible for us to live out these promises? What happens at Baptism that makes it so important?

There is an amazing thing that happens. In Baptism, God puts His very life in us. Baptism comes from the Greek word baptizein which means to "plunge" or "immerse" into the very life of God. "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me."(Gal 2:20) The baptized have "put on Christ." (Gal 3:27) Baptism is birth into the new life of Christ. It is the beginning of our walk with the Lord.

St. Paul spells it out even more beautifully in Romans 6:3-4, one of the readings for All Souls Day:

"Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."

And this “newness of life” has real consequences. We become new creatures. We put on Christ. The United States Catechism for Adults (USCCA 184-187) helps us understand the consequences of Baptism by looking at the eight major elements of the baptismal ceremony itself. After all, each sacrament is an instructive symbol. Each sacrament accomplishes what it signifies.

l.) Sign of the Cross -- at the beginning, the sign of the cross is made on the forehead of the person to be baptized which symbolizes Christ’s saving death. Baptism is a sacrament of salvation.

2.) Readings from Scripture -- in the readings, the Holy Spirit sheds light on the celebration and increases faith of the participants with the light of revealed truth.

3.) Exorcism and Anointing -- baptism liberates us from sin both original and personal and all punishment due to sin. With the oil of salvation, the person to be baptized is called to renounce sin and leave behind the power of evil.

4.) Blessing of the Baptismal Water -- prayer that the Holy Spirit may be sent upon the water and that the baptized be “born of water and the Holy Spirit.”

5.) Renunciation of Sin and Profession of Faith -- sin rejected and faith professed by the person to be baptized, or the sponsor. Baptism is the sacrament of faith. It is the sacramental entry into the life of faith.

6.) The Essential Rite -- water poured three times or person immersed three times with the prayer “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” In Baptism, we become reborn as children of God the Father forever, we become united to His body, the body of Christ, the Church, and to each other and Him, and we become temples of the Holy Spirit. We are plunged into the water as if into Trinitarian life, the life of God -- God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Water -- the sign of Baptism -- symbolizes so well what has happened. Water both destroys and gives life. Prefigured in the Old Testament especially in the crossing of the Red Sea, we understand this liberation as a sign of freedom, as a death or destruction to sin AND the birth of new life in the power of the Holy Spirit. Sins are buried and washed away as we die with Jesus and rise with Him from immersion in the water or are cleansed by the pouring.

7.) Anointing with Sacred Chrism -- symbolizes one’s anointing with Christ and that forever the baptized is incorporated into Christ who was “anointed” priest, prophet and king.

8.) White Garment and Candle -- symbolizes being clothed in the protective love of Christ and enlightened by Him, enlightened from the Easter Candle, a sign of risen life.

Having heard these eight elements of the rite, I invite you to listen to St. Gregory of Nazianzus and his beautiful description of Baptism: “Baptism is God’s most beautiful and magnificent gift…We call it gift, grace, anointing, enlightenment, garment of immortality, bath of rebirth, seal, and most precious gift. It is called gift because it is conferred on those who bring nothing of their own; grace since it is given even to the guilty; Baptism because sin is buried in the water; anointing for it is priestly and royal as are those who are anointed; enlightenment because it radiates light; clothing since it veils our shame; bath because it washes; and seal as it is our guard and the sign of God’s Lordship.” (CCC 1216)

Baptism is necessary for salvation. Jesus tells Nicodemus: “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Holy Spirit.” Jn 3:5 In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus -- sending forth His disciples -- commands them to baptize all nations and says further: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.” Mk 16:16 Moreover, the Catechism of the Catholic Church makes it clear that: "Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for the sacrament...God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by the sacraments." CCC 1257

But note well the Catechism also states that: "Those who die for the faith, those who are catechumens, and all those who, without knowing of the Church but acting under the inspiration of grace, seek God sincerely and strive to fulfill his will, are saved even if they have not been baptized." CCC 1281

There is a whole section on the baptism of infants in the catechism. It is explicit: "The Church and the parents would deny a child the priceless grace of becoming a child of God were they not to confer Baptism shortly after birth." CCC 1250 The catechism describes infant Baptism as an "immemorial” tradition of the church. Sometimes people wait many, many months for the right godparents to come, perhaps from a distance. That is really not a good practice. That is not the intention of the Church. The Church intends Baptism shortly after birth for entry into Christian life gives access, albeit in a mysterious way, to true freedom. This should not be denied even to infants.

A word on the choosing of godparents is also in order here. Being a godparent is a very solemn responsibility. It is not enough simply for personal, family, political or even business reasons to pick someone. If the parents are unable to rear the child as a good and devout Catholic, it is the responsibility of the godparents to do that and thus care should be taken in this choice.

Often when we speak of heaven, hell and purgatory, we speak of “limbo.” It traditionally has been seen as the fate at death of unbaptized infants who through no fault of their own were not baptized. The “theory” of limbo has attempted to deal with souls of infants who die subject to original sin and without baptism and who therefore neither merit the beatific vision nor yet are subjected to any punishment because they are not guilty of any personal sin, i.e. a state where unbaptized infants spend eternity without communion with God.

On January 19, 2007, the International Theological Commission issued its study of the “theory” of limbo. It held that this theory, not even mentioned in the new catechism of the Catholic Church because it has no clear foundation in revelation reflects “an unduly restrictive view of salvation.” For sure, because of original sin, baptism is the ordinary way to salvation, and parents are urged to baptize their children as soon as they can. At the same time, the Commission, concluded that there are reasons for prayerful hope that unbaptized infants who die will be saved and enjoy the beatific vision. The Church’s hope for these infants’ salvation reflects a growing awareness of God’s mercy. "Allow us to hope that there is a way of salvation for children who have died without Baptism." CCC 1261 But the catechism quickly adds: "All the more urgent is the Church's call not to prevent little children coming to Christ through the gift of holy Baptism." CCC 1261

So important is Baptism that Jesus begins His own public ministry only after first being baptized Himself by John the Baptist in the Jordan. In fact, the United States Catechism for Adults teaches that: “the origin and foundation of Christian Baptism is Jesus.” (p. 184) In the words of St. Gregory of Nazianzus, "He comes to sanctify the Jordan for our sake and in readiness for us; he who is spirit and flesh comes to begin a new creation through the Spirit and water." Jesus' Baptism at the Jordan is a
manifestation of His own self-emptying, a self-emptying that is made more explicit on the cross -- out of love for each of us. In fact the blood and water which flowed from His side on the cross are types of Baptism and the Eucharist. St. Ambrose writes: "See where you are baptized, see where Baptism comes from, if not from the cross of Christ, from his death. There is the whole mystery: he died for you. In him you are redeemed, in him you are saved."

And after His Resurrection, Jesus gives His mission to His apostles: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." Yes, Baptism is necessary for salvation, as is the Church herself, which we enter by Baptism.

Our call to holiness is also rooted in Baptism. In these days when we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints, we focus on the call to holiness -- those canonized and those holy men and women who live holy lives -- each of us we pray. This call is rooted in Baptism and it is a call for each of us to heed. St. Paul sets forth a practical plan for holiness, a plan made possible by the grace of our Baptism. He urges us to “Put on, then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, humility, gentleness and patience, bearing with one another. If one has a grievance against another, as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection.” Col 3:12-13 St. Paul never tires of urging us, each and every baptized Christian to live “as is fitting among saints.” Eph 5:3

I mentioned earlier that the anointing with sacred chrism, during the baptismal rite, importantly signifies that the newly baptized person is incorporated into Christ who Himself was "anointed" priest, prophet and king. In fact, that was the very basis of the mission of Christ, to be priest, prophet and king.

In Baptism, it becomes our mission, our sharing in the very mission of Jesus and by virtue of our Baptism. By Baptism, we become "anointed ones." Each of us becomes other Christs. Baptism gives us an indelible spiritual sign, a character, that consecrates us to Christ forever. Given once and for all, Baptism cannot be repeated.

But ontologically and practically, what does it mean to share today in the priestly, prophetic and kingly mission of Jesus? In other words, what are the concrete implications, the challenges of Baptism in your own life today, in my life? How is it that you share as lay men and women in Jesus' very mission today?

First, what about the priestly mission of Jesus?

You probably never thought that you as members of the laity share in the priestly mission of Jesus. You might have thought that was reserved to the ordained clergy, those who look and act like me. For sure, you and I share in the priestly mission of Jesus in a different way, but share in that mission nonetheless. Your share differs not only in degree but in essence from the priesthood of the ordained, but both are ordered to each other.

An ordained priest is most a priest when he offers the sacrifice of the Mass. After the model of Jesus the high priest, he offers the Eucharistic sacrifice, "a holy exchange of gifts." Simple ingredients of bread and wine are offered and God gives us Jesus back -- He transforms our earthly and humble offerings into Himself.

You share in the priesthood of Jesus Christ, made possible by the anointing of Baptism, each time you
offer to God you daily work, prayers, apostolic endeavors, ordinary married and family life, your mental and physical relaxation and even the hardships of life if carried out in a patient manner. Remember the morning offering prayer? When we do this, offer all to the Lord each day, each and every moment of the
day (even our sufferings) become transformed and so do we -- like the bread and wine become transformed into the Lord Jesus. Come to see every dimension of your lives as offerings to God. Through these daily efforts, daily life is made holy, the invisible but ever-present God is pointed to and others can recognize the witness of service and prayer. Our work, ordinary family life, sports and relaxation, when understood as offerings to God, as a share in His living priesthood, become a focus and s for the holy. Baptism makes this possible, makes it possible for us to share in Jesus' own priesthood.

Second, what about the prophetic mission of Jesus?

It is not what you might think of at first -- a seer with a crystal ball foretelling the future. No, it deals with God's holy word, His living word. To share in the prophetic mission of Jesus, made possible by our Baptism, means quite simply to fall in love with the living Word of God, it interiorize it, to let it change us daily, to proclaim it in word and deed, to translate God's holy word into one's family and social life -- in all our choices, in what we do and say.

That only happens if and when the Word of God becomes a regular part of our daily lives, each and every day. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the same Holy Spirit who inspired God's word in the first place, sacred scripture takes on a vital sense in our lives. It is made possible by the grace of our Baptism. Prepare for Sunday Mass. Make the Sunday and daily readings a part of your daily agenda. Little by little, God's word lets us see the world through Christian eyeglasses. We share in His prophetic mission.

Finally, what about the kingly mission of Jesus?

This should certainly not be understood in the sense of a temporal king. Be disavowed of this. Jesus was a servant king, the Good Shepherd. He inaugurated a completely different kind of kingdom -- one without geographical bounds.

St. Paul says the kingdom of God exists where there is "justice, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Rom 14:17) Concretely, it is the life of the Beatitudes, the magna carta of the Kingdom of God -- poverty, meekness, acceptance of suffering and persecution, desire for justice and peace, charity. As members of the laity, you share in the kingly mission of Jesus, made possible by the anointing at Baptism, when you focus on what is unique about your calling, the secular character of your vocation. Your lives of promoting justice, peace and joy take place not primarily on the altar, in our church sanctuaries, but in your workplaces and homes. Yes, there are so many practical ways to promote justice and peace in your daily surroundings. When you do, you live out the kingly mission entrusted to you by baptism.

To conclude: always remember the day of your Baptism. You see why it is the most important day of your life, why Cardinal O'Boyle got it right, why it makes us marked men and women for Jesus forever, why it changes us, continues to change us and infuse the life of God within us, why it challenges us each day to promote the mission of Jesus -- priestly, prophetic and kingly. We continue to pray that the blessings of our Baptism will grow deeper in us each every day and that others will know we are Christians by our love, by what we say and do.

Amen