Baptism, the sacrament of regeneration

In last month’s article, we spoke about how the sacraments bring God’s grace to us, by his power working through created reality. This month we examine the Sacrament of Baptism, the gateway sacrament to all the others. Knowledge of this sacrament, and what God has done for us through it, will surely fill our hearts with amazement and gratitude.

The word Baptism comes from Greek, and means to plunge, dip, or immerse. It takes on the image of something being so immersed into a solution that it assumes the qualities of that solution, like a cucumber soaked in vinegar becomes a pickle. The plunging into the water produces a change in the one baptized; they take on new characteristics and a new identity.

Baptism is defined as the “Sacrament of regeneration by water in the word” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1213). The specific grace given by Baptism produces a regeneration, a rebirth, within the one baptized. Why do we need rebirth? Because of the state of our first birth. St. Paul says that by nature we are born children of wrath (Eph. 2:3). We have no right to friendship with God and even deserve eternal punishment because we inherit the sin of our first parents. But God, rich in mercy, doesn’t want to leave us in the state of fallen nature. He provides a way for our rebirth, so that we might become children of mercy, his adopted children.

Baptism brings about this change or rebirth. Remember that the outward sign of the sacraments points to the inward grace. In Baptism, the outward part is the water poured three times (or the person being fully immersed in the water), along with the minister saying, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” This outward rite shows us a few things about what is going on within.

The first effect of the grace of Baptism is that sin is forgiven. Whether an unbaptized person is an adult or infant, they have the guilt and punishment of Original Sin. God washes that sin away in Baptism. Isn’t water a fitting sign for this? We use water every day for washing clothes, or hands, or countless other things. So God uses our senses to teach us about his work within the soul.

But water isn’t only used for washing. We also use water for nourishment; we need it for life. Many of our cities are built beside bodies of water. A supply of water is crucial for life on earth, animal and human. God also gives life through the waters of Baptism. Whose life? His life. We are baptized into the Trinity, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. The grace of Divine Life flows into our souls. Just as our parents shared their life with us in our first birth, so God shares his life with us through the rebirth of Baptism. Through Baptism God makes us just, or righteous, and worthy of friendship with him. He makes us his heirs and coheirs to eternal life in his own son, Jesus Christ. He opens up for us the gates of heaven, which were closed to us before because of our first parents. He joins us to Christ, our Head, so that we, the members, can receive the gifts of grace and truth that flow from him (John 1:16-17).

Through Baptism, God also seals our soul with a permanent character, which can never be relinquished. In ancient times, the Roman soldiers would have the mark or character of their legion tattooed on them, as a sign that they belonged to that legion. Similarly, when God claims someone for his child, he never takes back that choice, even if he or she rejects him. The mark, or character, on the soul is an ongoing source of our identity in God, bringing rights, duties, and special graces. Because of this permanent character, a person may only receive Baptism once.

We possess great dignity when we are made members of God’s family. In gratitude, it is good to put on our calendars the date or our Baptism and that of our family members. If we celebrate natural birth, certainly, we should celebrate the day of supernatural birth. Celebrating the day of Baptism helps children see how important that day is to our salvation and relationship with God.

Also, Catholic parents have a great obligation to make sure their children receive Baptism shortly after birth. Because of its importance to the soul, both in taking away the punishment of Original Sin, and in bringing Divine Life and grace, Baptism should never be delayed. In danger of death, it should be given immediately, and can even be administered by someone who isn’t a cleric; anyone can baptize with the right intention, using water and the correct formula.

Let us thank the Lord Jesus for saving us through the cleansing water of Baptism and for pouring his life and gifts into our souls through the waters of life!