The celebration of the Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life, but it is not the only daily prayer of the Church. As you can see, then, baptism publicly identifies someone as a disciple of Jesus. For a child-friendly video explaining Baptism, check out the Brother Francis Video . That Christ is your Savior should be what youre most excited to tell people. Luke 23:42-43). No sin can erase this mark, even if sin prevents Baptism from bearing the fruits of salvation. Another Easter by Christie McGee | Apr 8, 2023 | Evangelization, Saints. Easter Sunday remembers one of the greatest miracles to ever happen on the face of this earththe second person of the Blessed Trinity, Jesus, defeats death, rises from the dead, and begins appearing first to Mary Magdalene and then the Apostles. Edward Looney | Apr 6, 2023 | Movie Reviews and Recommendations. Baptism marks the entrance into the Christian family A new believer in Christ needs a spiritual family, a family of the faith in Jesus. Acts 2:41; 8:12-13; 10:48; 16:15. One of the best and most challenging aspects of the Church is that it is composed entirely of humans, who are flawed and fallible, with their own perspectives, experiences, strengths, and weaknesses. This has always been the practice of the Orthodox churches and of many Protestant denominations as well. But the "taking away" is not a negative removal, like the emptying of a trash can by the garbage collector. . Rom 6:34; Col 2:12. Instead, this new commitment to Christs people fundamentally altered the fabric of their lives. This article is adapted from Why Should I Be Baptized? A person is brought into full communion with the Catholic Church through reception of the three sacraments of Christian initiationbaptism, confirmation, and the Holy Eucharistbut the process by which one becomes a Catholic can take different forms. 38 The mystagogy of the celebration 1234 The meaning and grace of the sacrament of Baptism are clearly seen in the rites of its celebration. 1. It is to be administered to all disciples of Jesus ( Matt. CIC, cann. 59 Cf. 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Elsewhere, Paul occasionally uses the concept of the body of Christ to describe all believers at all times in all places (see Eph. 1. Jesus instituted the sacrament of Baptism to apply to each individual soul the atonement which He made on the Cross for original sin. It is an opportunity for us to receive forgiveness and start fresh with a new life in Christ. So after the command to repent and believe, heres your first to-do from Jesus. Indeed, the great mercy of God who desires that all men should be saved, and Jesus' tenderness toward children which caused him to say: "Let the children come to me, do not hinder them," 64 allow us to hope that there is a way of salvation for children who have died without Baptism. THE NECESSITY OF BAPTISM 1257 The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation. Given once for all Baptism cannot be repeated" (CCC, no. In other words, the desire for Baptism is contained implicitly in the desire to do God's will. . When John the Baptist baptized Jesus . The Liturgy of the by Fr. This list of the top ten reasons for being Catholic was compiled from lists submitted by individuals, groups and parishes in the Archdiocese of Dubuque during the Year of . 10:3233). The response is: "Faith!" Whether they die of dysentery or other prison-contracted disease or are left to freeze to death where they drop of exhaustionit will be a martyr's palm that they bear with them into eternity. To obey Christs command. Then you need to show it by baptismthats what Jesus said. 83 Cf. Thus the two principal effects are purification from sins and new birth in the Holy Spirit. If the person receiving emergency Baptism is of the age of reason (at least seven years old or so), then they must have the necessary faith to receive Baptism: Such opportunities to administer Baptism may never come to us, but it is of profound importance that we be prepared. 61 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. Addressing a congregation of baptized Christians, Paul says that they were buried and raised with Christ in baptism. 16 1222 Finally, Baptism is prefigured in the crossing of the Jordan River by which the People of God received the gift of the land promised to Abraham's descendants, an image of eternal life. 72 Baptism incorporates us into the Church . 67 Council of Trent (1546): DS 1515. RCIA (1972). When the sacrament of Baptism is administered, the spiritual vacuum which we call original sin disappears as God becomes present in the soul, and the soul is caught up into that sharing of God's own life which we call sanctifying grace. By following the gestures and words of this celebration with attentive participation, the faithful are initiated into the riches this sacrament signifies and actually brings about in each newly baptized person. Incorporated into Christ by Baptism, the person baptized is configured to Christ. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word." The Church asks God that through his Son the power of the Holy Spirit may be sent upon the water, so that those who will be baptized in it may be "born of water and the Spirit." Baptism seals the Christian with the indelible spiritual mark (character) of his belonging to Christ. As children of God, we receive our inheritance at the very moment of our adoption, at the very moment of Baptism. Mk 16:15-16. ( Matthew 3:13) At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Confessing your faith will confirm your faith. Weve all passed through that moment. Simplify this for your child by simply explaining that in Baptism, a baby is welcomed into the church family. 33 St. Augustine, In Jo. Edward Looney | Apr 10, 2023 | Movie Reviews and Recommendations. Intend to do what the Catholic Church does in this sacrament, Pour water upon the head (ordinary tap water is fine in an emergency), Say audibly the words of Baptism while pouring water, similar to: "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. But if so, God has not revealed it to us. 75 Baptism gives a share in the common priesthood of all believers. 61 Cf. Lead a life according to the pattern that Christ has given us. In verse 18, we learn that as a result of his saving death and resurrection, Jesus possesses all authority in heaven and on earth. He is the supreme ruler of the universe, the sovereign of sovereigns. Jesus also commanded his disciples to . 73 1268 The baptized have become "living stones" to be "built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood." 33 III. 74 1 Pet 2:5. Here then are three reasons to get baptized: (1) to obey Christs command, (2) to publicly profess faith in Christ, and (3) to formally commit yourself to Christ and his people. He then gave three supporting instructions that show us how to make disciples. First, we need to go. The Eastern Churches maintain a lively awareness of the unity of Christian initiation by giving Holy Communion to all the newly baptized and confirmed, even little children, recalling the Lord's words: "Let the children come to me, do not hinder them." 21 1225 In his Passover Christ opened to all men the fountain of Baptism. 1255 For the grace of Baptism to unfold, the parents' help is important. ( Luke 3:21) 2. No one ever will be able to say: "I lost heaven because I couldn't help it.". By getting baptized, we are essentially putting on a jersey that says Team Jesuswere playing by his rules and following his commands. 87 The faithful Christian who has "kept the seal" until the end, remaining faithful to the demands of his Baptism, will be able to depart this life "marked with the sign of faith," 88 with his baptismal faith, in expectation of the blessed vision of God - the consummation of faith - and in the hope of resurrection. In him you are redeemed, in him you are saved. Baptism. Eph 5:21; 1 Cor 16:15-16; 1 Thess 5:12-13; Jn 13:12-15. 84 The baptismal seal enables and commits Christians to serve God by a vital participation in the holy liturgy of the Church and to exercise their baptismal priesthood by the witness of holy lives and practical charity. Because of the character Baptism cannot be repeated (cf. Someone's eternal salvation may one day depend upon the knowing of these words. 867; CCEO, cann. In him the baptized are "the light of the world." Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such . VII. Because of original sin, we come into the world with a soul which is supernaturally dead. 67 Indeed, "an athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules." LG 11. 864; cf. Being baptized marks a beginning of a journey of faith together with the family of Christian believers. We make that acceptance by receiving the sacrament of Baptism. No sin can erase this mark, even if sin prevents Baptism from bearing the fruits of salvation. The answer points towards several tenets of the Catholic faith, such as the existence of original sin, the fact that all mankind has been redeemed by the Incarnation and Christ's subsequent death and resurrection, the meaning of a sacrament and the working of God's grace in our lives on earth. It makes the baptized a new creature. We can understand, then, why it is that the Church insists that babies be baptized as soon as possible after birthas soon as the infant can safely be carried to church. My hope in laying out these reasons is that you will find them not only persuasive but also inviting and compelling.
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