Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the Solemnity of Christ the King.
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 1276.
When reflecting on Holy Baptism, the Catechism cites the “Great Commission” given by the Lord Jesus Himself: “Go, therefore, to all nations, make disciples, baptize them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20). There are at least six (6) things we should consider here.
First, when the Lord give these directions He is not limiting His plan to the generation or the location immediately known to Him during His earthly ministry. Rather, He says: “Go to all nations.” This means that the Holy Gospel is for all peoples in every place. The faith is not just for the Middle East, nor for North America but every continent, every nation…
A second consideration concerns the Lord’s direction to “make disciples.” When we introduce people to Christ the Lord, His Gospel, His Church, we do so that they might become His disciples as we have already become. The Greek words mathetes, manthano translate variously: to become a pupil, to enrol as a scholar, one who is taught or instructed and are always contrasted with the master or teacher. The Greek word didasko is better translated as “to teach.” Jesus Christ came from Heaven to Earth to teach us about God and about ourselves, made in the Divine Image, redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb in which we are washed and saved.
A third consideration has to do with what follows our having learned what the Lord has taught us through His bride and mystical body, Mother Church, namely to be baptized. The Greek word baptizo refers to washing and bathing. In the case of the Sacrament of Baptism it is a washing away of Original Sin and any other sins committed before Holy Baptism.
While the waters are being poured on the candidate or the candidate is being immersed in the waters the Trinitarian formula, “In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” is pronounced, preceded by the effective utterance “I baptize you” or “be baptized.” The Name of God is one even though the Divine Persons are three. We are made adopted sons and daughters in the Son by the outpouring of the Spirit, able to call God our Father, thanks to the special graces of this sacrament.
A fifth consideration echos being made a disciple. In order for us to learn we must be taught. What and Who is taught is Jesus Christ Himself.
A sixth consideration follows from having been made a disciple, having been taught and baptized: we are to do all that the Lord Jesus has proscribed. We are to turn away from sin. We are to love our enemies.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr