January 13, 2019

is once-for-all because God remains faithful and keeps the promise to love us and accept us in Jesus Christ.

How about the “Baptism of the Spirit,” which we often hear from the charismatic movement? It is, strictly speaking, not a baptism, because as Catholics we were already baptized in the Holy Spirit. And our baptism is valid and forever.

“Baptism of the Spirit” is a time of peak spiritual experience; we may call it a “spiritual high,” which calls from us a deep spiritual commitment to our baptismal promises. It would be a mistake to think that it replaces our Sacramental Baptism, because when we were baptized we already received the Holy Spirit.

The most important point of all for us to consider is that the new creation began with John’s baptism of Jesus, which became a personal reality for each one of us at our own baptism.

When we were baptized, in a very true sense, the sky opened above us, the Spirit of God descended upon us, and a voice said to us, “You are my son or daughter; today I have become your Father.”

At Baptism, every Christian is sent forth to spread God’s kingdom until it is fulfilled at the end of time. Every Christian is a missionary by virtue of our baptism. God gives us the talents, potentials and skills needed to carry out our part of the mission.

We don’t have to be eloquent preachers. We just have to be good Christians: Parents are entrusted with the minds and hearts of their children to help their faith grow and their characters develop. Teachers contribute to the growth of children in faith and Christian values. Friends help one another to discern God’s call to live a life that fosters God’s reign, a life based on the Beatitudes.

One of the greatest privileges of being baptized is the power to participate in the Eucharist. With Jesus we offer ourselves in love to the Father. We receive Jesus and he comes to transform us into himself.

Someone once said that Baptism unites us to Christ and the Eucharist identifies us with Christ. Certainly we can appreciate that Baptism leads us to the Eucharist. If Baptism is our birth into Christ, the Eucharist is our nourishment for our daily lives.

Let’s conclude with the words of St. Paul as he describes our baptism:

“When you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ… You were at one time spiritually dead because of sins… But God has now brought you to life with Christ.” And Paul concludes:

“You have been raised to life with Christ, so set your hearts on the things that are in heaven… Keep your minds fixed on things there, not on things here on earth…

Your real life is Christ and when He appears, then you too will appear with Him and share His glory!”

(Colossians 2:12-13)