This Sunday marks the end of our Christmas Season as we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that Baptism is “The first of the seven sacraments, and the ‘door’ which gives access to the other sacraments. Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins because it unites us with Christ, who died for our sins and rose for our justification.”
The Catechism further notes that “Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist constitute the ‘sacraments of initiation’ by which a believer receives the remission of original and personal sin, begins a new life in Christ and the Holy Spirit, and is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ. The rite of Baptism consists in immersing the candidate in water, or pouring water on the head, while pronouncing the invocation of the Most Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” Jesus began his public ministry after being baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River.
Baptisms are generally scheduled at least one month in advance at Saint Brigid. Parents are required to attend a preparation class before the Baptism. Families are encouraged to attend the Baptism of their loved ones. Priests or deacons preside at the Sacrament, which is usually administered on the weekends in the Church Chapel.
Then next Sunday, January 18th, we begin the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. During that week, our bishops ask us to unite in prayer with our Christian brothers and sisters. Our Holy Father Pope Leo stated, “…unity has always been a constant concern of mine, as witnessed by the motto I chose for my episcopal ministry: ‘In Illo uno unum’, an expression of Saint Augustine of Hippo that reminds us how we too, although we are many, ‘in the One – that is Christ – we are one’. What is more, our communion is realized to the extent that we meet in the Lord Jesus. The more faithful and obedient we are to him, the more united we are among ourselves. We, Christians, then, are called to pray and work together to reach this goal, step by step, which is and remains the work of the Holy Spirit.” Pope Leo encouraged the faithful to embrace a bond of unity and prayer that should mark the lives of all Christians as we strive to see the Light of Christ shine through the spiritual darkness of this world.
As we reflect on the profound words of Pope Leo, and as we focus on the Sacrament of Baptism, and as we continue in this New Year, we are invited to pray that a true sense of Christian harmony and unity will be embraced as we continue on our journey of faith.