All seven of our sacraments must have a valid form, valid
matter, and proper intent. For baptism the valid matter is water. Water is the
symbol of freely given grace that brings us healing salvation.
The baptism administered by John is not the baptism of our
sacrament. John preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
But in Christ all things are made new. With the baptism of Jesus the old symbol
is transformed into something new. Jesus is the archetype of all those who will
be baptized after Him. All will receive the Holy Spirit from above and be
reborn as Children of God.
Water, formerly a symbol, has now become part of a sacrament,
necessary for anyone who is to be “born again of water and spirit” and thus
share the divine life.
This water, this grace of salvation, is freely given. We cannot
live without grace just as we cannot live without water.
But in addition to spirit and water, there is blood. It was
blood and water that flowed from the side of Christ upon the cross. Spirit,
water, and blood have become a single “testimony for His Son.” As a baptized people we are children of
God by the unity of the water and blood of Christ.
We enter into the life of Jesus through baptism. And eventually
we will stand where He did. In the end, with the Holy Spirit, we will be called
upon to testify to our faith in Christ.
Pax Vobiscum
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
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