The moment of baptism is always a moment of Joy. Joy for the mother church. Joy for the candidates for baptism and their families. The mother church rejoices in the reception of new members, who are to assist in living and spreading the message of the Gospel. The candidates for baptism rejoice for the new found faith and for all the divine graces and benefits associated with it. Benefits such as a community that accompanies one through life, through the community‘s celebration of the Word of God and the various sacraments. And, benefits such as being adopted by God as a son or daughter and being filled with the Holy Spirit, who empowers the baptized to participate in the life and ministry of the church. Benefits such as discovering the meaning of life. Discovering that our lives have a goal. Namely union with God, which earthly death does not take away. The newly baptized enjoys also his new found friendship with Jesus.
We see this joy in the first reading with the baptism of the Ethiopian Eunuch by Philip. We heard that the Ethiopian Eunuch went his way rejoicing. The question I am asking myself today is whether I still rejoice when I remember that I am baptized. Do I regret for being a Christian? Has my association with Christ and the church constituted any disadvantage on my way or in my career? Do I regret being a Christian because of the scandals associated with the human aspect of the church. And because of the “burden“ of supporting the growth of the faith through my material gifts and my talents? The Ethiopian Eunuch rejoiced for this priceless gift of baptism.
Baptism
Easter is the proper time for the celebration of the sacrament of baptism. Because through our baptism, we partake of the life of the resurrected Christ. We share in his death and resurrection. Hence, during the Easter period, especially at the Easter vigil, we are called upon to renew our baptismal vows, because many of us were baptized as kids or because we may have lost the joy of our baptism due to occurrences in our lives. Renewing our baptismal vows is another way of thanking God for the gift of baptism. Baptism remains a gift of God. We see this in the text of the first reading that though the Ethiopian Eunuch was reading the text of Isaiah in his search for the truth, the Holy Spirit has already commissioned Philip to walk along that street in search of him.
Reflecting on this text, I am captivated by the joy of the Ethiopian Eunuch and would want to thank God for the gift of my baptism which was the beginning of a process that embraced my whole life, and which has not only transformed me but also changed the direction of my life. As I thank God today for my baptism, I pray that many parents will find joy in allowing their children to be baptized.
