(Go here for previous post on Baptism)
Part of my short homily during the baptism recalled the Gospel reading from that Sunday's Mass. The reading was about Jesus visiting the city of Nain. As Jesus drew near to the gates of the City, a funeral procession came out carrying the only son of a widowed mother. Jesus tells the mother not to weep and orders the man to rise. The man sits up and begins to speak. Though not mentioned in the Gospel, this man is given the opportunity to begin his life again.
Baptism is our way to begin life again. It gives us the opportunity to die to old ways and to rise with Jesus to a new life. When we are baptized all our sins are forgiven, washed away by the waters of Baptism. We receive the saving grace that flows out of the sacrament of baptism. The grace Jesus won for us by his obedience to his Father's will.
Both baptism and the Sunday Gospel reading shows us how God offers us a new opportunity. Baptism is our chance for a new beginning but now as a child of God. In the Catholic sacrament of Baptism a child or adult is given a white garment to wear. They receive the garment after the pouring of the water under the Trinitarian formula. This white unblemished garment is a symbol of how we have been washed clean and are now pure and without sin.
The Sacrament of Baptism concludes with a blessing which includes the words: By God’s gift, through water and the Holy Spirit, we are reborn to everlasting life. Through Baptism we have been reborn. We are to keep that symbolic white garment unstained by sin. It is our symbol of hope for an everlasting life in heaven. Teach your children to do the same.
