REV. FR. JOSEPH BARANJOKO.

 

We give thanks to almighty God for bringing us to the close of the Christmas season with the Feast of Baptism of the Lord, because the baby has become a man(Lk3:23). Jesus’ baptism occurred about a quarter of a century after His birth and marked a new stage in His life as He leaves Nazareth and begins His public ministry. This Sunday is a chance to reflect not so much on Jesus’ baptism but on our own. How faithful have we been to our Baptismal promises?

Baptism is often misunderstood because many people see it only as a moment when original sin is removed and nothing more than that. As important as what the sacrament of Baptism takes away is what it gives, because the sacrament of Baptism does more than erase original sin. It gives us a new identity as disciples of Jesus Christ as we are immersed, bathed, washed, wrapped in Jesus Christ. It gives us a mission to continue the work of Jesus Christ. It gives us the equipment, access to the sacraments that enables us to complete that mission (cf.CCC1213).

For Jesus, John’s baptism signified a turning point as the Lord enters His public ministry to fulfil the words of Isaiah, to give sight and release to every generation. For us, the sacrament of Baptism is more than a “rite of passage.” It makes us a new creation with a new identity – that is why a child receives a new name as we did. It gives us a mission to heal, bridge and enlighten in the name of Jesus – that is why a baby receives anointing for its mission. It gives a baby the grace and power of the Holy Spirit to be faithful to that mission.

In Baptism, we were given the gift of supernatural life, the grace of faith, membership in the Church, becoming a part of Christ. We received the virtues or powers of believing, hoping, and loving as Jesus did. What have we done with that gift?

Do we see our Baptism as something that happened to us years ago as a baby and is now over, or do we see it as a lasting power, call and mission for our adult life?

If, after Baptism, there is no further formation and growth in the faith, all the potential, promise and power of Baptism can be neglected and even lost. We can lose the power of Baptism as the key to holiness. Every saint is a saint because he or she was faithful to his/her baptismal promises. The core issue of holiness, of our spiritual potential, has never depended on being male or female, ordained or non-ordained. It does depend on fidelity to Baptism and what we are called to be by Jesus Christ.

Beloved, we can lose the powerful connections Baptism brings. Baptism primary to Christianity. It is one thing we all have in common beneath all our titles, public accomplishments and differences. Baptism inserts us into a vast spiritual network called the Church. Wherever we go, even if we are alone, we are part of that spiritual network.

Our Baptism can be only history, a memory captured in pictures or videos and evidenced by a certificate. It can also be the start of a lifelong commitment that shapes our life now and tomorrow.

In Baptism, Jesus gave us an identity, a mission and a destiny. Each time we come to Mass and each time we pray can be a time to embrace that identity, live that mission and take a step closer to that destiny. May the Lord strengthen us to be faithful to our Baptismal identity.

SHALOM