I will never forget the first time I celebrated the Sacrament of Baptism as a transitional deacon. Little Jane was nearly-angelic throughout the ceremony. She never cried; she smiled as I poured the water over her head; and she was peacefully asleep as I gave the final blessing.
To think I once believed in those early days of my ministry that ALL Baptisms would be this way! I have since come to learn, however, that each experience of Baptism -- like each one of us -- is uniquely beautiful and unrepeatable. Since the time of Jane, I have baptized constant wailers and spitter-uppers, angry little spitfires and the perpetually-calm. I even had a gassy one who, if he were old enough to speak, would have undoubtedly shifted the blame to me. (“It was Father!”)
And that’s why I love celebrating the Sacrament, for each time we gather to do so, not only are we adding to our membership but, more importantly, we are reminded that we are a Church on a mission. Christ has come to baptize us into a life of grace and freedom from sin, and at the same time invite us to become a community of believing disciples whom the Lord uses to help establish His Kingdom. Whether we are a perpetual smiler or a tad cranky and gassy, we are all God’s beloved children, and we are all invited into His unique and wonderful family to love and serve Him and one another in the footsteps of the Father’s only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ.
So, what are we waiting for? We have a mission … let us be about living our Baptismal call and inviting others to join us. After all, in this family, who has as much fun helping build the Kingdom as we do?