Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: “Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.”
(Roman Catechism II,2,5; Cf. Council Of Florence: DS 1314; CIC, cann. 204 § 1; 849; CCEO, can. 675 § 1.)
Called to Communion
“After the foregoing instructions, baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living [running] water… pour water three times on the head, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
(7:1 [A.D. 70])
The Gift of Baptism
Baptism is God’s most beautiful and magnificent gift… We call it gift, grace, anointing, enlightenment, garment of immortality, bath of rebirth, seal, and most precious gift.It is called gift because it is conferred on those who bring nothing of their own; grace since it is given even to the guilty; Baptism because sin is buried in the water; anointing for it is priestly and royal as are those who are anointed; enlightenment because it radiates light; clothing since it veils our shame; bath because it washes; and seal as it is our guard and the sign of God’s Lordship.~ St. Gregory Of Nazianzus, Oratio 40,3-4:PG 36,361C
Baptismal Promises
What we profess at our Baptism (or what sponsors profess for an infant) is our “fiat” to God, our “Yes” to Him. It was by Jesus’ consecration to the Father; His own “fiat” to God’s saving plan, and the anointing by the Holy Spirit during His baptism in the Jordan, that we are able to become consecrated to Him.
It was during this pivotal moment that God revealed His Son as the “anointed one,” the Christ. By Jesus taking on our human nature as the Son of God, we are now able to enter into the mystery of water, Blood, and the Spirit; the three that testify of one accord to the consecration of Jesus.
It was on the night of the Last Supper that Jesus said to the apostles,
“I consecrate Myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”
~ John 17:19
How incredible is it that we witness the baptismal promises in the early Church, as written by Hippolytus:
“When the one being baptized goes down into the water, the one baptizing him shall put his hand on him and speak thus:‘Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty?’And he that is being baptized shall say: ‘I believe.’Then, having his hand imposed upon the head of the one to be baptized, he shall baptize him once.Then he shall say: ‘Do you believe in Christ Jesus…?’And when he says: ‘I believe,’ he is baptized again.Again shall he say: ‘Do you believe in the Holy Spirit and the holy Church and the resurrection of the flesh?’The one being baptized then says: ‘I believe.’And so he is baptized a third time.”
~ The Apostolic Tradition 21 (A.D. 215)
Our Consecration to Christ
It is by our consecration that we receive an indelible mark that seals us forever as belonging to Christ. There is no sin that can ever destroy this mark, even if we do not receive the fruits of salvation granted by our Baptism because of sin.
It is by our Baptism that we are consecrated for Christian worship, and called to serve God all the days of our lives by participating in the liturgical life of the Church, and by being a witness of Christ in the world.
It is by living out our baptismal priesthood, the priesthood of all believers, that we strive to manifest Christ to others in holiness and charity.
We read in scripture how God’s people were referred to as “priests,” which is the priesthood of the laity, not the ministerial priesthood. (See Exodus 19:6, 1 Peter 2:5)
We live out our “priesthood” in “a special way so to illuminate and order all temporal things with which they are so closely associated, that these may be effected and grow according to Christ, and may be to the glory of the Creator and Redeemer.” (Lumen Gentium 31)
How wonderful and splendid is it that God has chosen us, even with our fallen human nature and concupiscence — to mark us with His Holy Seal, which enables us, if we remain faithful, to one day experience the Beatific Vision; to see God Face-to Face in all of His Majesty. (See CCC 1272 through 1274)
The Sacrament of Baptism changes our souls, our very essence, forever. Once we are baptized, we are permanently configured to Christ, which brings about an ontological change.
We begin our life as a Christian, where our “old life” is buried with Christ through Baptism into death, and then we rise by walking with Him in “newness of life.” (Romans 6:4) We are NEVER the same again. Let us continue to live out our commitment and devotion to Christ through the calling of our baptismal consecration.
Originally Published at Called to Love – A Listening Heart
