This just-past Sunday morning we had a baptism at the 7:30 Mass. Baptisms at this Mass are rare because not too many young families are regulars at this hour and even those who might be often ask for a later time to accommodate guests who will be coming. So a 7:30 a.m. baptism means hard core early morning Mass folks who expect there guests to rise up with the sun for their child's christening.
At least this past weekend their guests got to turn their clocks back an hour and cash in on an extra hour's sleep!
So at the 7:30 Mass we baptized Matthew Vincent into the body of Christ, the Church. I've known Matthew's dad, Craig, for 13 years - and most of that time he was single. A few years back I met his fiancée-now-spouse, Erin. Matthew is their second child, Mark is his big brother.
It was a joy to ask Erin and Craig if they would promise to raise Matthew in the practice of our faith - and to know that they truly meant it when they answered, "We do." And to ask the same of his godparents, Ken and Ashlee, and the whole assembly and to receive the same resounding answer. It was a joy to sign Matthew with the sign of the Cross and to invite his parents and godparents to do the same. It was a joy to preach the story of Zacchaeus and to remind us all that we, the faith community of the church, would be the sycamore tree Matthew would climb to see Jesus more clearly. It was a joy to renew the promises of our own baptism with Matthew's parents and godparents. It was a joy to lower Matthew into the waters of the font three times, in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit, and to know that he would rise up a child of God, a brother of ours in Christ, heir with us to the reign of God. It was a joy to anoint him with the chrism of salvation, a member of Christ who is priest, prophet and king. It was a joy to sprinkle the assembly from the waters of Matthew's baptism. And it was a joy to see him return dressed in his baptismal clothes, a sign of his dignity as a child of God, and to present him with the light of Christ from the paschal candle. It was all a joy!
Sometimes the things a priest does all the time shine forth to him in unpredictably, especially joyful and beautiful ways. Matthew's baptism was one of those times.
And it was a pure joy!
I am definitely NOT an early morning riser, so I am always grateful for Baptisms that take place at the 11:30 Mass! I walk away on those Sundays filled with renewed hope....and offer a prayer for those babies and their families...it truly is a joy to experience! Thanks for making Baptism such a joy filled special event in our parish life...
ReplyDeleteI always thought a Baptism at Mass was simply such a wonderful blessing for the community. I do remember when Erin and Craig were getting married and wish I could have celebrated at the Baptism of child #2 with them and all the folks at Mass. In our new parish - out of state - we only seem to celebrate Baptism AFTER Mass but I have broached the subject to the pastor and am working on it! Sometimes people don't even know what they are missing. I am also working on the Easter Vigil Adult
ReplyDeleteBaptisms - I do miss the total immersion that you have done!
Iwas one of those who used to object to having a baptism take place during Mass. Now I am older and trying to be more attentive during Mass and find that I enjoy having a baptism take place. I was at the 7:30 and it was great.
ReplyDelete