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Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Lord:
Today, January 13th, is the feast of the
Baptism of the Lord in the liturgical calendar. It is also the last day
of the Christmas season. Celebrations of the Lord’s baptism first
appeared in the east. On January 6th, the date of the winter
solstice, the Church there commemorated the Epiphany, or manifestation,
of Christ. Unlike the Western Church, which focused its celebration of
the coming of Christ solely on his nativity, the feast in the Eastern
Church recognized three aspects of the revelation of Jesus as the Son of
God: his birth, his baptism by John in the Jordan, and his first miracle
at the wedding feast in Cana.
In Luke’s account of the baptism of Christ which is read
this year, John begins by announcing that he is not the Messiah: "I
baptize you with water, but someone is coming (who) will baptize you
with the Holy Spirit and fire." Water is still the central symbol in
the celebration of baptism. Water signifies washing. We are weak
human beings, prone to sin. God's mercy and grace alone can wash us
clean of our sinfulness. Because water is essential to all life, the
water of baptism also symbolizes the life-giving grace that sustains
those who have become children of God.
Using the first option given in the Rite of Baptism of
immersing in water, rather than simply pouring water, allows this symbol
to speak more powerfully. As the candidate enters the waters of the
font, he or she goes back into the womb, so to speak, to be reborn to
new life in the Spirit. Immersion also suggests dying and rising. As
Christ died, was buried in the tomb and was raised to new life, the
candidate too, goes down into the tomb in baptism, dies to sin and rises
to new life in Christ.
Another important symbol in the celebration of baptism
is the presence of the Christian community which gathers to welcome a
new member. Baptism is not a private family occasion; it involves
incorporation into the Body of Christ, being made a part of the
community of faith.
Oil is used twice in baptism. First, the breast is
smeared with the oil of catechumens as a sign of healing and
strengthening. Afterwards, the head is anointed with perfumed chrism as
a sign of gladness and thanksgiving.
The white garment, with which the newly baptized is then
clothed, symbolizes being enveloped by Christ and is "the outward
sign of Christian dignity".
A baptismal candle is lit from the paschal candle beside
the font and presented to the new member as an image of the light of
Christ. It is to be "kept burning brightly" and lit again on
significant anniversaries and sacramental moments. In the opening prayer
of Mass today we renew our baptismal commitment: "Keep us, your
children born of water and the Spirit, faithful to our calling". |
