This Sunday we observe the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord that concludes the Christmas season in the Church. This feast also reminds us of the importance of Baptism. While Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan a voice came from heaven saying: “You are my Son, the Beloved; with You I am well pleased”. We also become beloved children of God through Baptism. The Catechism of The Catholic Church teaches us that “Baptism is birth into the new life in Christ. In accordance with the Lord’s will, it is necessary for salvation, as is the Church herself, which we enter by Baptism” (1277). It also tells us about the fruit of Baptism: “The fruit of Baptism, or baptismal grace, is a rich reality that includes forgiveness of original sin and all personal sins, birth into the new life by which man becomes an adoptive son of the Father, a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit” (1279). By Baptism one receives on his or her soul an indelible spiritual mark (the best translation from latin is the word character) that consecrates the baptized person for Christian worship. Because the character (mark) of baptism never leaves the baptised Christian, the Sacrament of Baptism is unrepeatable. Baptism is the first sacrament and without it we cannot receive any other sacrament.
In the Catholic Church we baptize not only adult persons but also infants in the faith of their parents because we want them to become the children of God and receive all the fruits flowing from this Sacrament at the beginning of their life. By this reason, the Church does not recommend postponing Baptism too long. Adults and children who have already completed the age of 7 are to attend a special preparation course called RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) before they are baptized. As a rule, adults receive at the same time all the three Sacraments of Christian Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion. It is customary that this takes place during the solemn Mass of Paschal Vigil.
Let us praise the Lord for the gracious gift of Baptism!