A Musing on Appreciating our Baptism

We've just celebrated the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. It is usually celebrated early on in the year and I think that it is an excellent reminder for us as disciples to be grateful for our baptism. It also allows us the opportunity to make our New Year Resolutions to help us to live out our Baptismal Call. 

According to the Catechism, the Sacrament of Holy Baptism forms the Basis of Christian Life and allows us to be reborn as Sons of God. This is evident in the rites of the Church, where at an Infant Baptism, the very first question that the Minister asks the parents of the child is; "What name do you give your child?" At the point of Baptism, the Minister calls the child by name, before baptising the child in the name of the trinity. Just like how Christ called the disciples personally, so too have we been called personally to die with Christ in the waters of Baptism, and to live a life of discipleship. 

For those who were baptised on the night of the Easter Vigil, the point on us being re-born as sons of God is also made evident in the rites of the Church. The Baptismal Font is often referred to as the womb of the Church, where new life is born. As the Priest blesses the water to be used for Baptism, he lowers the Easter Candle into the font either once, or thrice, and holds it there. This in fact (as much as it may shock some) represents the conjugal act that needs to take place, in order for the gift of new life to be conceived in the womb. As it is written in the opening chapter of John's gospel, our baptism denotes that we are born not out of human stock, or urge of the flesh, but of God himself. We were made by God, and therefore we live for God. 

Holy Saturday – The Easter Vigil Liturgy: Recalling the Paschal Sacrifice of Jesus – The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore

And because we are made by God and for God, out Baptism also makes us sharers in the Mission of the Church. On the day of our Baptism, whether as infants or as adults, we are all anointed with the Oil of Sacred Chrism. The word Chrism, loosely translated, comes from the word Christ, which also means Messiah, or the anointed one. Therefore, when we take on the anointing of Christ, we take on the Messianic roles of Priest, Prophet and King. 

The role of the common Priesthood given to us at our Baptism, does not necessarily mean that we need to become ordained members of the clergy. Of course, if one is called to this ministry, he should answer the call because of his Baptism. But for the common Priesthood, it calls us to build bridges to bring people to God, and to bring God to people. It can be as simple as praying for others and with others, to bringing God to people through our care and concern for the marginalised, to inviting a friend to your parish's RCIA programme to inquire about the faith. 

Our role as Prophets invites us to be the ones who announce the coming of the Lord, and to prepare the way for the Lord to enter into the lives of others. In fact, we are commissioned to do this every morning at the Morning Prayer, where we pray Zachariah's canticle on a daily basis. Every day, the Church reminds us to prepare the way for the Lord, and to be prophets. 

And our role as Kings invites us to adopt Jesus' attitude towards kingship. While the kings of the world rule from their thrones and from a position of authority and majesty, Jesus during his time on earth, showed his rule through the throne of his cross. We are called to pick up our crosses daily, to love the Lord not just for the joys in life, but for the cross. 

Dear Friends, how will you live out your baptismal call this year? 

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