Sunday, April 27, 2025
Baptism: Gift and Responsibility
Baptizing is a source of joy for me. This Sunday during our morning Masses we will celebrate the baptism of four children so everyone can share the joy. The Easter Season helps us recall both the gift and responsibility of our own baptism. When we are plunged into the water, we symbolically die with Christ so as to rise with him to new and everlasting life. Baptism is the sacrament of faith, our trust that God will raise us from the dead. If we are baptized and persevere in charity, we have a sure and certain hope for heaven. When we are baptized, we are incorporated into the Church, the mystical body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13, Eph. 4:4-5), and become beloved children of God through the Holy Spirit of adoption (Rom 8:11, 15) and therefore brothers and sisters to one another.
Baptism is also a mission. To be incorporated into Christ is at the same time to take on the mission of Jesus as symbolized by the reception of the light from the Paschal Candle after chrismation—to be bold witnesses to the gospel and evangelize. The Holy Spirit is the source of the marvelous gifts or charisms each of us received at baptism for building up the Church. I pray the celebration of Easter baptisms will inspire you to discover, explore and share your spiritual gifts in our parish.
In Christ,
Rev. Robert P. Capone