Baptism is lifelong journey
In a song about baptism, Randy Travis and Kenny Chesney croon “Down with the old man, up with the new. Raised to walk in the way of light and truth.” In simple language, these singers echo the words of many saints.
Saint Irenaeus said, “Baptism gives us the grace of new birth in God the Father, through his Son, in the Holy Spirit.” And in Romans 6:4, Saint Paul describes baptism as the way that Christians “live in newness of life.” In baptism, as the Catechism describes, we are washed clean of our sins and given the graces to love and follow God (1266).
Joe Paprocki, D.Min., is an author, catechist, and National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press. He describes the Sacrament of Baptism as a call to conversion that we must respond to over and over and over again. Each year, as we journey towards Easter with our Rite of Christian Initiation candidates, “the entire church prepares with them, seeking to once again reform our lives by rejecting sin and embracing the grace of God in Jesus Christ.” Our birth as new creations doesn’t end with our baptism; instead, Joe explains, we celebrate “the life-long dynamic of God inviting us to die to sin and our response of embracing his saving grace.”
In addition to this individual call, though, this sacrament also unites us with the living Body of Christ. As Joe describes, “we are joined at the heart – and mind – and soul – to one another and to Christ.” Born anew in Christ, we are united both to Him and to our faith community in “a profound and intimate way.”
“Profound” and “intimate” aren’t usually descriptors that suggest a kid-friendly explanation. In the case of baptism, though, the visual elements provide the entrance into the mystery. What kid doesn’t love playing with water? Children can clearly see water cleansing something dirty. Model this transformation with a rock, a boot, or a thoroughly muddy family member and explain the connection to the baptismal font. Reinforce the connection when your children dip their fingers in a holy water font. You might whisper, as a friend of mine does, “remember the waters of your baptism” as your kids bless themselves. Couple this image with a visit to an actual baptism, and children can begin to grasp both the personal and communal aspects of the sacrament.
I’m beginning to see that these Catholic treasures offer more than just teaching moments. They present opportunities to grow closer as a family. Joe Paprocki’s suggestion for explaining the Sacrament of Baptism will give you a new family tradition while also bringing home the sense, as Joe explains it, that baptism “is a bond that continues to be forged in the fire of the Holy Spirit each day of our lives.” Joe encourages celebrating each family member’s baptismal anniversary. Share a special meal, look at pictures, and talk about how God might be asking each of you to live out your baptismal call more effectively. Display your child’s baptismal candle and garment, and the whole family gets a beautiful reminder “to show forth the light of Christ and to put on Christ each and every day.”
In the rite of Baptism, catechumens or godparents must answer the question, “What do you ask of God’s Church?” The response? “Faith.” Through baptism, we step into a new life, joined in faith with God and each other.