Catholic Life

Baptism: Plunging for Christ

by Rod Hetherton

Perhaps it was only coincidence, but on the weekend that my youngest son, Jacob, was baptized, the readings for the mass centered on baptism. It was a beautiful day in which Jacob officially became a part of the church. But wait! He couldn't even walk or talk; he was totally dependant upon his mother and me. How could he have received a sacrament? Exactly what is baptism?

by Rod Hetherton

Perhaps it was only coincidence, but on the weekend that my youngest son, Jacob, was baptized, the readings for the mass centered on baptism. It was a beautiful day in which Jacob officially became a part of the church. But wait! He couldn't even walk or talk; he was totally dependant upon his mother and me. How could he have received a sacrament? Exactly what is baptism?

Baptism: A Sacrament of Christian Initiation

Baptism is one of the three sacraments of Christian initiation; the other two are Confirmation and the Eucharist. The Greek translation means to "plunge" or "immerse", and it is the beginning step -- the starting point -- of a Catholic Christian life. It not only brings us into Christ's death, but also brings about new life. It is a spiritual mark that brings the Holy Spirit into our hearts and souls.

The sacraments of Christian initiation bring a person into the fullness of Christian life. Baptism is the first of these sacraments. The Catechism states that through Baptism the faithful are born anew. Eucharist gives the faithful food for eternal life, and Confirmation strengthens the faithful.

Roots of Infant Baptism

As sacraments of Christian initiation, these sacraments bring a person into the faith in different ways and at different times. Baptism is the first of these because it cleanses the soul and brings the Holy Spirit into the person being baptized. One question that is often asked of Catholics is how this could happen for babies, since they have no real say in the matter?

At first, baptisms were not performed on babies, for the obvious reason that the first followers of Christ were all converts. The early people who decided to be Christians were those that were first Jews, Gentiles, and others. As Christianity spread, whole families were baptized; this is probably where the first infant baptisms took place. After that, there is record that infant baptisms did take place as long ago as the 2nd Century.

Many other Christian denominations have baptism when a person is "ready" to choose Christ as his or her Savior. In essence, this is a very similar practice to that of Catholics, except that Catholics call it Confirmation. This is where there is the more active choice to grow and strengthen in faith. Also, many other Christian denominations view baptism as mainly symbolic, rather than as a very real regeneration of the soul by the Holy Spirit.

Let the Children Come to Me

The Catholic Church, therefore, strongly encourages the newborn to be baptized. Baptism brings us closer to salvation and brings us into the church. It wipes away all sins, including original sin. Jesus said, "Let the children come to me". And the church also wants the children to come, for it does not want any child to be denied the glory of salvation.

Not only does baptism bring us forgiveness of all sins, it also brings us new life. Perhaps one of the hardest things for Christians to comprehend is how this new life is brought forth. Life comes from death. No -- baptism doesn't kill you; there's no heart stoppage here. What it does do, however, is bring us into oneness with Christ. And more specifically, it brings us into oneness with his death.

This all goes back to the paschal mystery. Jesus had to suffer, die, and be resurrected in order to be the Christ. In baptism we share that with Jesus. We share in his death. His death has brought a death to all sin and salvation to the people. This was God's greatest gift to us, that He sacrificed His only son. So as we also die to sin and evil, we are born anew into a oneness and communion with the Church.

Proud Father

I was proud as I stood there after my son Jacob had been anointed priest, prophet, and king. He had been filled with the Holy Spirit. He had become a part of the Church and one with Christ Jesus. It was truly a precious moment. One that, as parents, Heather and I choose for our sons.

It doesn't guarantee them a great earthly life, or even an easy one. But never overlook the importance of being one with the Holy Spirit and sharing in Jesus' death and resurrection. Yes, my children will choose their own path -- and I will support them throughout their lives regardless of that path. But more important then my support is the fact that they have support from, and oneness with, their Creator.

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.
(Mt 28:19-20)