I hadn’t noticed until today how the Sunday scriptures have been opening the mystery of baptism: first in the symbol of living water, then in the image of new sight, and tomorrow liberation from death. It’s easy to take my baptism for granted. After all I have no firsthand memory of my baptism. I don’t even remember hearing many stories of my baptism. I know from my baptismal certificate my baptism took place a few days after my birth, the norm in the early 1950’s.
I admit that I vividly remember the baptisms of our children. We baptized Jessica in a private service at St. Luke’s parish on a Saturday afternoon. Father Rick, who served as the best man at our wedding, was the priest who baptized Jessica. There were at most 15 people who witnessed and celebrated her baptism.
Beth and Ben on the other hand were baptized at St. Patrick’s parish (in Indiana) as part of the Sunday Celebration. Hundreds of people witnessed and celebrated their baptisms. These baptisms like many at St. Patrick’s were genuinely communal celebrations. Father Joe, the pastor of St. Patrick’s at the time, was the main celebrant of the Eucharistic liturgy and the baptism. I remember going over to the cafeteria for the weekly coffee and doughnuts gathering before heading home for a smaller celebration.
During the time of Ben’s baptism we were packing and preparing for our move to Nebraska. We left knowing that we had the support and blessing of St. Patrick’s parish. These celebrations of baptism reflect the times and our own understanding of Baptism and Catholic life. Each celebration in its own way marked our awareness of the role God and the Catholic Community was playing in our lives.
So as the Sunday scriptures break open the mystery of baptism I break open the mystery of baptism in my own life. I appreciate the opportunity Lent gives me to reflect in a determined way on my own baptism and its impact on my life. Like the rain slowly carves away at the Rocky Mountains, the waters of baptism continue to carve away at my life.
”O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge.” (Ps 7:2a)