Baptism

Why Was Jesus Baptized?| National Catholic Register : Why Was Jesus Baptized? SCRIPTURES & ART: Jesus had nothing of which to repent. So, what is the sense of this feast? Here are two reasons.

  https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/why-jesus-was-baptized Why Jesus Was Baptized Monday’s Feast of the Baptism of the Lord marked the official end of the Christmas season. It’s also an annual occasion for many to ask, “Why was Jesus baptized?” After all, he is the sinless, divine Son of God, and the baptism that John the Baptist administered was “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:4). Christian baptism is of course greater than John’s baptism, even as Jesus himself is far greater than John (Matt. 3:14, John 3:30). Christian baptism not only forgives sins, but infuses the life of God into the soul, making us God’s children. And the origin of this sacrament is Jesus’ own baptism. Jesus had no need to be cleansed by the waters of baptism, for he had no sins to be washed away. Rather,  he  sanctified the waters by his descent into them. Pope Benedict XVI (writing as Joseph Ratzinger), in his   Jesus of Nazareth , offers some illuminating insights

 https://www.simplycatholic.com/what-is-the-meaning-of-jesus-baptism/#:~:text=Narrated%20in%20each%20of%20the,proclamation%20of%20mercy%20and%20forgiveness.

 What should I say in my baptism testimony? A testimony can include three basic points: Life before knowing Christ • How you came to know Christ (be specific) • Life after you received Christ (changes He has made – what He has done for you.) When giving a brief testimony, DO: Pray that God will give you wisdom and clarity of thought. When we were baptized, we entered into a covenant with God. We promised to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, always remember Him, keep His commandments, and serve Him to the end. Heavenly Father promised us a remission of sins and, through the ordinance of confirmation, the gift of the  Holy Spirit. "Holy Ghost." The five realities for the Christian that are celebrated in Baptism are (1) being welcomed into the community of Jesus, the church; (2) beginning  a lifelong conversion, turning away from sin to embrace the Christian way of life; (3) being reborn to a new identity as a son or daughter of God;  (4)sharing in the mission of Jes

Love Your Enemies: Prefer Mercy Over Justice  In the timeless story Les Miserables, Jean Valjean has just been released from prison, where he has served time for stealing bread. He has no money, and he spends his first night out of prison in the home of a village priest who takes him in. In the night, Jean Valjean flees the priest’s home after having assaulted the priest and stealing most of his valuable silverware. But he is captured and the police bring him back to the priest so that he can be formally accused. For Jean Valjean, this means his last hope is gone. He will now be imprisoned for the rest of his miserable life. The priest comes to him and looks him in the eyes, and says, “My brother, why did you leave so quickly last night? You took only the silver. But I gave you these as well.”  And he places in his hands several more golden candlesticks. The priest had the right to ask for justice.  But he saw something worth saving in this thief, and gave mercy instead. That moment ch

 Jean Valjean and the Grace of Baptism Jean Valjean (played by Hugh Jackman) receiving the silver candlesticks from the Bishop of Digne (top); then, after his conversion, with his adopted daughter, Cosette.   (Baptism of the Lord (C): This homily was given on January 13, 2013 at St. Pius X Church, Westerly, R.I. by Fr. Raymond Suriani.  Read Titus 2: 11-14; 3: 4-7; Luke 3: 15-16, 21-22.)   [For the audio version of this homily, click here: Baptism of the Lord 2013] “I am reaching, but I fall, and the night is closing in, as I stare into the void, to the whirlpool of my sin.” As many of us know, those are the words of Jean Valjean in the musical (and now the movie), Les Miserables—both of which are based on the  Victor Hugo novel of the same name. Valjean says these words after the Bishop of Digne has extended to him the mercy and forgiveness of Jesus Christ—mercy and forgiveness that Valjean definitely did NOT deserve! Most of you know the story, but for the benefit of the few who don’

What Happens at Baptism? An Overview of the Sacrament  Jim and Maria stand at the baptismal font holding their baby daughter, Elizabeth, between them. They are surrounded by family, friends, and Elizabeth’s godparents. The deacon asks, “What do you ask of the Church for this child?” It’s a meaningful question. “Baptism,” the couple replies, giving an even more meaningful answer. Baptism is not a small thing. Using such potent symbols as water, oil, and fire, Baptism is a powerful sacrament that washes away original sin and its effects. It gives us a new identity, connects us to a new community of believers, initiates us into a new way of living, and provides a clear mission in life. Baptism has meaning on many levels. Historical Within weeks of Jesus’ Resurrection, the apostles were preaching the Gospel to people by the thousands, baptizing them in Jesus’ name. Since then, Baptism has been the ordinary means of becoming a member of the Church. Think of the long line of people before yo