"Why does the Church baptize infants? First, all are born with original sin and infants, as well as others, need to be freed from that sin. Remember earlier I stated that Baptism is an unmerited gift, not earned and freely given by God. The sheer gratuitousness of this gift of grace is particularly manifest in infant Baptism. The practice of infant Baptism is an immemorial tradition of the Church. Scripture sights the baptism of whole households. See Acts 16:15, 33, 18:8 and 1 Corinthians 1:16. Also, evidence from written sources as early as the year 150 A.D. confirms the tradition. The early Church father, St. Irenaeus affirmed infant Baptism at this time as did Hippolytus who documented infant Baptism in 235 A.D."
This quote is from a much earlier post on this blog. I got to thinking about infant baptism today as we arrived at the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Bringing Jesus to the temple for his presentation was the dutiful act of good Jewish parents and Jesus was presented as part of the covenant. Having now initiated the new covenant we see the long standing Catholic tradition of parents bringing their babies to the church for baptism; presented if you will for the new covenant.
In the above quote I cited several Scriptural passages as well as ancient church history supporting infant baptism. Being an ordained minister of the Catholic Church who has among his responsibilities that of baptizing infants (and children up to the age of 7) I take seriously that this is God's will and the sacred teaching of His church that all should receive baptism. There are multiple references to infant baptism, some not so obvious like St. Paul's link to circumsion in Romans and Colossians. And what I believe is greater evidence is the opposing theologies that work so hard to dismiss this link.
As I stood in the sanctuary last weekend baptizing Isabella, and as I'm now preparing little Briana and Camila for their baptisms, I thank God for this gift of new life, reborn in water and spirit and defeating original sin, I know we are doing God's will. And I'm thankful for the reminder of this beautiful reality today on the feast of the Presentation.
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