From the Pastor's Desk | January 11

Today we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord which is also, sadly, the last Sunday of the Christmas season.  By allowing himself to be baptized by John in the Jordan, Jesus raises baptism to the level of a sacrament.  Recall the Great Commission after his Resurrection from the dead, “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.  And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).  In saying this and commissioning his disciples to do so, it is clear that baptism is necessary for salvation (CCC 1257).

Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament.  The Church does not know of any means other than baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude; this is why she takes care not to neglect the mission she has received from the Lord and to see that all who can be baptized are “reborn of water and the Spirit.”  God has bound salvation to the sacrament, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments (CCC 1257). 

The sacraments are big deals!  Baptism is a big deal!  It is the foundational sacrament, necessary for life in Christ and his Church, and effects a plethora of grace, namely: 

• The forgiveness of sins - through baptism all sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal sins, as well as all punishment for sin (CCC 1263).  Now, as humans, we are not immune from sin after we are baptized.  Baptism doesn’t cure our fallen human nature.  That is why the sacrament of Reconciliation is called the new baptism because a good confession (one in which all mortal sins are verbally confessed and absolution given) restores us to our original baptismal dignity.  

• Making us a new creature - an adopted son or daughter of God and one who participates in God’s divine life (CCC 1265).  

• Incorporates us into the Church, the Body of Christ - baptism brings us into the Church, the community of faith, and through the font of baptism is born the People of God of the New Covenant which transcends all limitations of nations, cultures, races, and sexes (CCC 1267).

• Forms the sacramental bond of unity of Christians - baptism is the foundation of communion among all Christians, even those not yet in full communion with the Catholic Church (CCC 1271).

• Configurement to Christ - in baptism the individual is sealed with an indelible mark of belonging to Christ (CCC 1272).  Nothing can erase this mark - not sin, not apostasy, not death.  Once we are baptized we are claimed as Christ’s.  

As we pray today on this Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, let us ponder and contemplate our own baptism and what a big deal it is to be among the baptized!  Let us ponder the immense grace that has been given to us through the waters of baptism and let us recommit ourselves to our original baptismal promises: 

• Do you renounce Satan? 

• And all his works? 

• And all his empty show? 

• 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, suffered death and was buried, rose again from the dead, and is 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 sin, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting? 

This is our faith.  This is the faith of the Church.  We are proud to profess it in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Know of my prayers for you all! 

Fr. Ryan