Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the 3rd Sunday of Advent.

My dear Parishioners,

Peace! There are ten (10) In Brief passages in the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding the Sacrament of Baptism. The following is a reflection on article 1279.

There are at least eight (8) fruits or graces especially linked to the Sacrament of Baptism in the Catechism. Here we consider them, each individually, in order to have a better grasp on the rich reality which is Baptism.

Baptism gives us the remission of Original Sin. While none of us committed the first sin, we have inherited its effects with our human nature. The sad temporal consequences of Original Sin remain in us, even after Baptism: suffering, death, ignorance and a tendency to sin (concupiscence). The eternal consequences of Original Sin, separation from God are washed away. Christian Baptism is prepared for by Saint John the Baptist who preached both baptism and the fogginess of sins (cf. Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3).

Baptism also give us the remission of all personal sins committed up to the point of Baptism. Christian preaching is directed to repentance and the fogginess of sins, beginning with Holy Baptism (cf. Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38).

Baptism gives us supernaturally new life in Christ. When Jesus spoke with Nicodemus late one night (cf. John 3:1–21) it was not only about the necessity of Baptism (v. 5) but also about everlasting life (v. 16) and the new birth given through the saving waters (v.4–7 ). Without specifically mentioning Baptism, Saint Peter does address our being “born again, not of corruptible seed, but incorruptible, by the Word of God who lives and remains forever” (1 Peter 1:23). Being baptized into Christ’s death also gives access to rise anew with Him (cf. Romans 6:3–4).

Baptism is the sacrament of divine adoption, wherein we are made adopted sons and daughters in the one only eternal Son of the eternal Father (cf. Romans 8:29; Ephesians 1:5).

Baptism makes us members of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:25; 12:27). The Lord Jesus teaches us that without Him we can do nothing (cf. John 15:5). It is via grace, faith, and Baptism that we are with Jesus, in whom we live and move and have our being (cf. Acts 17:28).

Baptism makes us temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16–17; 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16). As we honor the Parish Church and the diocesan Cathedral Church because they are consecrated places of worship and places of reservation for the Blessed Sacrament of the presence of the Lord Jesus, so too, each of the baptized has been consecrated and set apart for God, who dwells within us by His grace.

Baptism incorporates us into the Church, the Body of Christ (Romans 12:5). Because the Holy Spirit is as if the soul of the Church, we are at the same time living stones of this spiritual house (cf. 1 Peter 2:5).

Baptism also makes us participants who sharer in the priesthood of Christ offering up spiritual sacrifices (1 Peter 2:5).

God bless you!

Father John Arthur Orr