My update as Lent begins...

An update from Deacon Mike

Mardi Gras is now behind us. Welcome to Lent and in a few days the month of March. This weekend I am serving as Deacon of the Word (not the Gospel) at St. Louis Cathedral at 11 a.m. Sunday. On Saturday I’m looking forward to visiting with the aspirants of the Deacon Class of 2012, and my friends from the class of 2010.

Last month I shared the 5 tools from Deacon Glenn Harmon to have a truly strong foundation based on God and His Church. They are:
Prayer
Read and pray Scripture
Learn and know the Catholic faith
Be enthusiastic
Serve

In that same update, I decided to focus on #3 and began with identifying the Sacraments. So this month, let’s take a look at Baptism.

The Church firmly declares that Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life where we are freed from sin and reborn as sons & daughters of God. Through Baptism we are incorporated into the church and share in Her mission.

Baptism actually brings about the birth of water and the Spirit without which no one “can enter the kingdom of God.” See John 3:5 and Titus 3:5. Baptism confers grace; not as a gift earned, rather an unmerited gift freely given by God through His Church.

Baptism was prefigured in the Old Testament, Genesis 1:2, the flood and Noah, the crossing at the Red Sea, the crossing at the river Jordan. Baptism is fulfilled in Jesus Christ who begins his public ministry after being baptized by John in the Jordan and in His great commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. See Matthew 28:19-20 and Mark 16:15-16.

From the very day of Pentecost, the Catholic Church has celebrated and administered Baptism. St. Peter declares, “repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” See Acts 2:38. St. Paul goes on to affirm the Catholic Church’s theology of Baptism: “Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.” See Romans 6:3-4.

So now, let’s answer some questions about Baptism.

Who can receive Baptism? Every person not yet baptized. Baptism can never be repeated; it is once for all.

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.

Who can baptize? Ordinary ministers are bishop, priest and deacon. In case of emergency any person may baptize provided the formula is used: “I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”.

Is Baptism necessary for salvation? Yes, for all those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for the sacrament.

Some other points concerning Baptism: Baptism is the sacrament of faith. It requires a community of believers. Faith must grow after Baptism. For that reason, every Easter, the whole Church renews their baptismal promises.

Baptism makes all members of the Body of Christ. See Ephesians 4:25 and 1 Corinthians 12:13. In Baptism, all share in Christ’s holy priesthood and his mission of prophecy and royalty. See 1 Peter 2:4, 2:9. Baptism also gives all a share in the common priesthood of all believers.

The baptized is also configured to Christ having been sealed with the indelible spiritual mark or character, thus belonging to Christ. See Romans 8:29.

Want to learn more? Please read the Catholic Catechism, paragraphs 1213-1277. You can also read the shorter Compendium, paragraphs 252-264. With Lent now upon us, and Deacon Glenn’s 5 tools as a guide, pick up a copy of these publications and read and pray with these paragraphs on Baptism. You will also find every scriptural cross-reference that supports these teachings so have your Bible handy too.

As I close, since we are all beginning our Lenten journey, please take time to focus on prayer, fasting and giving alms. Take advantage of extra opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation that most Catholic churches provide. Devote some time to visiting Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament or attend Stations of the Cross. Make small acts of self-denial or take time to do more for others. Whatever you do this Lent, do so from the heart and a spirit of wanting to do it. This too will be part of your Lenten prayer experience; if you do it for the glory of God the Father.

May God bless you immensely during this Lenten season and prepare you for the Easter joy of the Savior who died and rose from the dead for me and for you. Remember, even if you or I were the only one that needed Jesus to die for our sins, He would still have walked the road to Calvary. Amazing!

Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
Deacon Mike
abitadeacon@yahoo.com
http://abitadeacon.blogspot.com/