Father Bill says...for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

to: all of my friends
from: Father Bill Muench

First of all – if you are looking for me next week – I am escaping to Florida – don’t tell anyone!! Those who are in the know – warn me that it has been cold in Florida – my response is that I’ll warm it up – well, I’ll let you know next week – how I do in that regard.

Baptism

Of all the sacraments, Baptism is the most important – we are initiated into the life of our God – our human life is given a new value – an eternal value – and dignity – we receive new life – the life of Our Savior.

On this feast day – the Baptism of the Lord – we must start with the Baptism of John the Baptist – it was John who baptized Jesus – the Baptism of John the Baptist was a baptism of repentance. John inspired people to repent their failings and choose to change their lives – to reject evil and live good lives – and to remember that moment and to celebrate that decision – he would baptize them – taking them into the Jordan River – pushing them under the water. What an excellent way to remember their conversion.

Jesus accepted the Baptism of John – even though he was sinless and had no need of repentance. However, he chose to unite himself with all of us – men and women – of all time. And this baptism became a moment of dedication to his ministry – the paschal mystery – his life, death and resurrection – and a it was also a moment of recognition – “a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.’”

John the Baptist makes it very clear that his baptism does not compare in any way with that of Jesus – he says, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

You and I received this Baptism of Jesus – some have chosen this as adults – others of us were brought by our parents who wanted to share this spirit and life and fire with us. Baptism initiates us into the life of Christ and the life of the Church. We become formed into God’s people – and obtain new life and forgiveness of all sins. We become a new creation through water and the Holy Spirit.

Baptism is the most important sacrament we will ever receive. For me, it more important than my ordination to the priesthood. In Baptism I received the new life of the Lord – I became a son of God – and adopted son of God. In the ceremony of Baptism we are formally given a name and welcomed into the family of God’s people. Water – the most precious thing on this planet – is used to baptize us into this new life – to give us the power to live well.

Our dignity depends on one thing – the extent to which we have lived out our baptismal calling. We have the life and the power of the Holy Spirit – so our Christian call is to live out our Baptism – and so we are often – especially at Easter – called upon to renew our Baptismal promises. Renewing your baptismal promises is a little like keeping your driver’s license current. Is everything you said before still true? It’s like making a New Year’s Resolution.

The promises have two parts. First comes the rejection of Satan and sin. You publicly state what you won’t accept as a Catholic. Then you move on to the second part, the profession of faith – that lays out for all to hear – especially yourself – just what it is what you believe that makes you a Catholic. In other words, this is the one time all year when you actually say, very simply and clearly, “This is who and what I am.”

So – now is the time – a time of renewal – if you are ready to renew your Baptismal Promises – please say “I do” to these questions:

DO YOU REJECT SIN, SO AS TO LIVE IN THE FREEDOM OF GOD’S CHILDREN?

DO YOU REJECT THE GLAMOR OF EVIL AND REFUSE TO BE MASTERED BY SIN?

DO YOU REJECT SATAN, FAHTER OF SIN AND PRINCE OF DARKNESS?

DO YOU BELIEVE IN GOD, THE FATHER ALMIGHTY, CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH?

DO YOU BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST, HIS ONLY SON, OUR LORD, WHO WAS BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY, WAS CRUCIFIED, DIED, AND WAS BURIED, ROSE FROM THE DEAD, AND IS NOW SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER?

DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH, THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, THE RESURRECITON OF THE BODY AND LIFE EVERLASTING?

Let Us Pray

God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and forgiven us our sins. May God also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever.

Amen

Please join me we say together the Lord’s Prayer.