Homilies

FEAST OF THE LORD'S BAPTISM: NEW EXISTENCE, NEW BEING

MY FIRST EXPERIENCE of administering the sacrament of baptism took place in a big Church where Sunday baptisms are in big numbers. The Church was filled up and each pew was assigned with one candidate for baptism. With the candidate were parents and godparents. For practical reasons, the Church no longer uses the baptismal font for the pouring of water. Instead, I was told to simply sprinkle water on the candidates. When I did that, I could not contain my laughter because it appeared I was blessing a number of motorcycles, not infants.

Since then, I administered the so-called “special” baptisms. While mass baptisms could be a riot, special baptisms can be a headache too. Often, we could not start on time because a certain godparent is late and we need to wait for him/her because he/she is a big cheese. It has been a trend for parents to choose either wealthy or famous people to stand as godparent to their child. Well, there can be no problem with this as long as they take the responsibility in rearing the child in the faith. In this case, we would say that baptism has become a social occasion, a gathering of the rich and the famous. It has gradually been deprived of its religious significance.

The baptism of Jesus by John in the river Jordan is worth reflecting. There are three important moments in Jesus’ baptism by John as related to us in the Marcan version of the passage. First, is John’s humble recognition of his baptism as less superior compared to the baptism to be given by Jesus. His is baptism of water while Jesus’, a baptism of the Spirit. Second, the actual baptism of Jesus by John. Third, the Father’s affirmation on the act of Jesus through a voice.

First, let us talk about the person of John. John was very much aware of his role in relation to the coming of Christ. He looked at Jesus as someone who is Mightier than him and that the baptism He will give is baptism of the Spirit, compared to his baptism of water. In those days, John became popular and famous through his preaching and call for repentance. Yet, John did not use his fame and popularity to his personal advantage. He saw himself as insignificant compared to the One who is to come. He felt even unworthy. In fact, his loud cry was, “He must increase, I must decrease.” Such is a person who is a true model of humility. He can be a good reminder to all leaders and pastors who crave for personal glorification. In so doing, there is an inversion of order. They increase while Christ decreases.

Second, talking about humility, the baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan was also a mark of humility. Like those people who came to John for baptism, Jesus also immersed in the water. He could not have done it, but, Jesus decided purposely to associate himself with sinners and to assume the burden of our sins. He chose to have a share in our life, and to die as well so that we may live. The baptism of Jesus may be seen as his first act of his public ministry and this act suggests humility. The practice of immersion can be one thing to be reconsidered nowadays. There is a rich symbolism in the act. It would be a lot easier for people to see the sharing “in the dying and rising of Christ” through immersion than merely “sprinkling” the candidates of baptism with water.

Third, the affirmation of the Father. There was a seal of approval on the part of the Father because as soon as Jesus came out from the water, the heaven unlocked with the voice: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” This could have been an external sign that Jesus was truly appointed by the Father to be the Savior of humanity. Indeed, He was sent to save us.

The Feast of the Lord’s Baptism is also an occasion for us to go over our own baptism. This could be more urgent especially now that baptism has been reduced to a social occasion, devoid of its spiritual meaning. We need to go back to the true sense of this sacrament. Although Jesus’ baptism cannot be understood as a call to conversion because He is sinless, our baptism, in contrast, is a call to conversion. When John called people to baptism, it was widely seen as a call to repentance. If Christ baptizes us in the Spirit, then, God’s Spirit takes possession of us in a very special way. The Spirit then directs us in the footsteps of Christ. In the final analysis, baptism unites us with Christ.

Baptism is a call to conversion. In fact, the fruits of baptism, in the Pauline sense, are “new existence” (Gal 2:20); “new creation” (2 Cor 13:5); and “freedom” (Gal 4:1-5). These are distinguishing marks of people who believe in Christ. These are also gifts we receive when we were baptized and this is signified by the white cloth that we wore. Through baptism, we receive a new existence. We distance ourselves from our old sinful life. Likewise, baptism in Christ makes us a “new creation,” a new being. Furthermore, baptism in Christ makes us “free” persons, we are no longer slaves.

In our world today, there is a drive toward independence and freedom. Husbands want freedom from their wives and vice versa. Children want freedom from their parents. By freedom, it is meant doing anything what one simply wants. In most cases, the things these people do in the name of freedom are no longer in the confines of what is good. I remember one young woman who left her parents because she wanted to be independent and free from them. But, unfortunately, it led her to a miserable life. She was taking prohibited drugs, she became promiscuous, and finally got pregnant. Is this freedom? On the contrary, according to John Paul II, this is enslavement; enslavement to sins.

Again, baptism unites us to Christ. We should have a constant awareness of this fact. If we are in Christ, then, naturally, we become a new creation. We received this gift when we were baptized. But, it is also a task. We can only be truly a new creation if we continue the process of repentance and conversion in our lives. Only then unity with Christ is possible. As soon as this thing happens, we would experience what St Paul said, “It is no longer I, but Christ living in me.”

                        {Fr PATRICK CASINO MSP
                            MSP Central Office, Manila}

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