Baptism

SacramentSacrament of Initiation

◦Along with Confirmation and Holy Eucharist

Lays the foundation for Christian life

Washes away original sin through Christ and brings us back to God

Through Baptism, we are freed from sin and reborn as children of God

Baptism in the Old TestamentSince the very beginning of the

world, water has been the source of life and fruitfulness

God’s spirit overshadowed the waters◦In the beginning, when God created the

heavens and the earth and the earth was without form or shape, with darkness over the abyss and a mighty wind sweeping over the waters (Gen 1:1-2)

◦“mighty wind” is the spirit of God

Baptism in the Old TestamentThrough the great flood, God made a sign

of Baptism that made an end of sin and a new beginning of goodness◦The LORD wiped out every being on earth:

human beings and animals, the crawling things and the birds of the air; all were wiped out from the earth. Only Noah and those with him in the ark were left. (Gen 7:23)

◦Never again will I curse the ground because of human beings, since the desires of the human heart are evil from youth; nor will I ever again strike down every living being, as I have done . (Gen 8:21)

Baptism in the Old TestamentThe passage through the Red Sea provides an

image of being set free through Baptism◦ So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and

at daybreak the sea returned to its normal flow. The Egyptians were fleeing head on toward it when the LORD cast the Egyptians into the midst of the sea. As the water flowed back, it covered the chariots and the horsemen. Of all Pharaoh’s army which had followed the Israelites into the sea, not even one escaped. But the Israelites had walked on dry land through the midst of the sea, with the water as a wall to their right and to their left. Thus the LORD saved Israel on that day from the power of Egypt. (Ex 14:27-30)

Baptism in the Old TestamentThe Israelites crossing the River Jordan

into the Promised land is another example◦For the LORD, your God, dried up the

waters of the Jordan in front of you until you crossed over, just as the LORD, your God, had done at the Red Sea, drying it up in front of us until we crossed over, in order that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, and that you may fear the LORD, your God, forever.”

Other ReferencesJews ritually wash themselves in order to

purify themselves◦The LORD told Moses: For ablutions you shall

make a bronze basin with a bronze stand. Place it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it. Aaron and his sons shall use it in washing their hands and feet. When they are about to enter the tent of meeting, they must wash with water, lest they die. Likewise when they approach the altar to minister, to offer an oblation to the LORD, they must wash their hands and feet, lest they die. This shall be a perpetual statute for him and his descendants throughout their generations.

New TestamentJesus was baptized at the start of his public

ministryGave us an example, even though he had no

actual need for it◦ John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be

baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him. After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and] coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Mt 3:14-17)

New TestamentJesus asks that we all be baptized

◦Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” They said to him, “We can.” Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; (Mk 10:38-39)

New TestamentJesus tells us that Baptism is

necessary for salvation◦Jesus answered and said to him,

“Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” (Jn 3:5)

Baptism in the ChurchThe Church has celebrated and

administered Baptism from the very day of Pentecost◦Now when they heard this, they were cut

to the heart, and they asked Peter and the other apostles, “What are we to do, my brothers?” Peter [said] to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Act 2:37-38)

Baptism in the ChurchBelievers enter into communion with

Christ’s death, are buried with him, and will rise again with him◦How can we who died to sin yet live in

it? Or are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. (Rom 6:2-4)

Baptism in the ChurchThrough Baptism all sins are

forgiven◦Original sin◦Personal sin◦All punishment for those sins

Baptism gives new life to the person and makes him a part of the Body of Christ◦Marks the soul with an indelible sign◦Reason Baptism can be received only

once

Baptism in the ChurchBaptism gives sanctifying grace

◦Helps the person believe in, hope in, and love God

◦Gives the power to live under the gifts of the Holy Spirit

◦Allows and encourages growth in moral virtuesBaptism gives faith

◦Faith received is imperfect and immature, but will grow When baptismal promises are renewed at Easter time Parents, Godparents, and the Church community play

an important role in helping faith grow

Rites of BaptismSign of the Cross

◦ Marks with the imprint of Christ the one who will belong to him and signifies the grace of redemption Christ won for us

The Word of God is proclaimed to enlighten the revealed truth and elicits the response of faith

Baptism signifies and provides the liberation from sin and Satan, the instigator of sin◦ Exorcism is performed and Satan is openly

renounced◦ Will prepare the baptized to be able to confess the

faith of the Church

Baptism in the ChurchBaptismal water is blessed and made

holy through a prayer of epiclesis◦Calls upon the Holy Spirit to make the

water suitable for its useBaptism is performed by triple

immersion in water or by pouring water over the catechumen’s head three times◦Trinitarian formula must be used◦“I baptize you in the name of the Father,

and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”

Baptism in the ChurchPerson is anointed with sacred chrism

◦Signifies the gift of the Holy Spirit◦A sign that the baptized shares in the three

powers/functions of Christ: Priest Prophet King

A candle is lit from the flame of the paschal candle and given to the baptized (or parents)◦Calls to mind the light of Christ, which is to

be kept burning brightly

Baptism in the ChurchThe newly-baptized are given a

white garment to wear◦Emphasizes that as children of God, the

baptized are to keep their souls pure, clean, and spotless

◦I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. (Rev 7:9)

Baptism in the ChurchAnyone who has not yet been

baptized may receive the sacrament

Normally performed by a bishop, priest, or deacon◦In extremis, can be performed by

anyone, even someone who is unbaptized

◦Must follow trinitarian formula

Baptism in the ChurchBaptism is necessary for salvation (Cf. Jn 3:5)

◦ The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation. He also commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them. Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament. The Church does not know of any means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude; this is why she takes care not to neglect the mission she has received from the Lord to see that all who can be baptized are "reborn of water and the Spirit." God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments. (CCC 1257)

Baptism in the ChurchWhat if a person dies before he is baptized?

◦ The Church has always held the firm conviction that those who suffer death for the sake of the faith without having received Baptism are baptized by their death for and with Christ. This Baptism of blood, like the desire for Baptism, brings about the fruits of Baptism without being a sacrament. (CCC 1258)

◦ For catechumens who die before their Baptism, their explicit desire to receive it, together with repentance for their sins, and charity, assures them the salvation that they were not able to receive through the sacrament. (CCC 1259)

◦ As regards children who have died without Baptism, the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God, as she does in her funeral rites for them. (CCC 1261)

Confirmation

SacramentSacrament of Initiation

◦Along with Baptism and Holy Eucharist

Completes BaptismKnown as Christmation in the

Eastern Catholic Churches

ConfirmationNot a “graduation”Not something one does simply

so they can get married in the Catholic Church

Cannot be reduced to a rite of passage

Not a cultural celebration or party

Confirmation is a sacrament◦i.e. a holy mystery

ConfirmationConfirmation is a sacrament

◦i.e. a holy mysteryAs a sacrament, it communicates

and reveals communion with God and his grace

Confers an indelible mark and predisposed the person to receive the very life of God and his divine protection

ConfirmationCompletes the baptismal graceThe person participates fully in

the body of Christ, with the rights and obligations of a spiritual and temporal character

The Confirmed person is compelled to witness the Christian faith with conviction in word and deed

ConfirmationPerpetuates the grace of

PentecostThe action and presence of the

Holy Spirit is manifested in our character, words, and actions

Has a messianic or salvific character

Christ promised to send his spiritThis promise was revealed at

Easter and fulfilled at Pentecost

ConfirmationAt confirmation, we receive the

Holy Spirit, the paraclete, the advocate that Christ promised us◦Helps us continue the mission of

Christ◦Strengthens our faith◦Guides us toward Truth

Christ’s Mission is Our Mission“The Spirit of the Lord is upon

me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” (Lk 4:18-19)

Confirmation in the ChurchConfirmation requires and

involves a mature faith◦A desire to grow in the knowledge of

GodA commitment to one’s faith

◦ChurchInvolves a commitment to know

more about our faith’s teachings, practices, and traditions

Involves sharing this gift of faith with others

Faith of the Church Celebrates the faith of the Church in the power of the Holy Spirit given to

us at Pentecost When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place

together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, “Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his own native language? We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.” (Acts 2:1-11)

Celebration of ConfirmationAnointing with chrism on the foreheadLaying on of handsAnd the words: “Be sealed with the

gift of the Holy Spirit”Normally celebrated by the bishop

◦May be a priest at certain times Must be specifically delegated by the bishop

◦Easter Vigil – bishop cannot physically be present at all of the confirmations throughout his diocese

Celebration of ConfirmationIn the Eastern Church,

confirmation is celebrated immediately following Baptism◦Even in the case of infants

In the Western Church, confirmation is delayed until the person is of a certain age◦With adults, confirmation

immediately follows Baptism

Anointing With ChrismAnointing with fragrant oil has

been a sacramental for thousands of years◦Begun by ancient Jews◦The practice for confirmation since

the earliest days of the ChurchWe are anointed with holy chrism

as a sign that we are now able to spread the Kingdom of God on Earth

Oil is a SymbolOf Strength and healingIn confirmation, we receive the

strength and grace to be witnesses of the resurrected Christ and to do what is right and good

But the one who gives us security with you in Christ and who anointed us is God; he has also put his seal upon us and given the Spirit in our hearts as a first installment. (2 Cor 1:21-22)

SponsorsRole is to help the one being

confirmed to remain firm and strong in the faith◦Until confirmation, the Holy Spirit is

present, but not yet fully realized by the one being confirmed

Role models of faith◦Give support, inspiration, and

guidance to the one being confirmed◦Example of faith in action

ConfirmationGod is able to make every grace

abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work. (2 Cor 9:8)