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In this summary of the Church’s teachings on Baptism, the Catechism relays the heart of the sacrament. If you needed to quickly explain Baptism to someone on the street—Fr. Mike says—this would be your guide. Fr. Mike hones in on the fact that Baptism is “a grace and a gift of God that does not presuppose any human merit.” Today’s readings are paragraphs 1275-1284.
Click on link to play video: https://youtu.be/ZJt92SgTRYg
Saint John the Baptist’s Story
Jesus called John the greatest of all those who had preceded him: “I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John….” But John would have agreed completely with what Jesus added: “[Y]et the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he” (Luke 7:28).
John spent his time in the desert, an ascetic. He began to announce the coming of the Kingdom, and to call everyone to a fundamental reformation of life. His purpose was to prepare the way for Jesus. His baptism, he said, was for repentance. But one would come who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. John was not worthy even to untie his sandals. His attitude toward Jesus was: “He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30).
John was humbled to find among the crowd of sinners who came to be baptized the one whom he already knew to be the Messiah. “I need to be baptized by you” (Matthew 3:14b). But Jesus insisted, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15b). Jesus, true and humble human as well as eternal God, was eager to do what was required of any good Jew. Jesus thus publicly entered the community of those awaiting the Messiah. But making himself part of that community, he made it truly messianic.
The greatness of John, his pivotal place in the history of salvation, is seen in the great emphasis Luke gives to the announcement of his birth and the event itself—both made prominently parallel to the same occurrences in the life of Jesus. John attracted countless people to the banks of the Jordan, and it occurred to some people that he might be the Messiah. But he constantly deferred to Jesus, even to sending away some of his followers to become the first disciples of Jesus.
Perhaps John’s idea of the coming of the Kingdom of God was not being perfectly fulfilled in the public ministry of Jesus. For whatever reason, when he was in prison he sent his disciples to ask Jesus if he was the Messiah. Jesus’ answer showed that the Messiah was to be a figure like that of the Suffering Servant in Isaiah. John himself would share in the pattern of messianic suffering, losing his life to the revenge of Herodias.
Reflection
John challenges us Christians to the fundamental attitude of Christianity—total dependence on the Father, in Christ. Except for the Mother of God, no one had a higher function in the unfolding of salvation. Yet the least in the kingdom, Jesus said, is greater than he, for the pure gift that the Father gives. The attractiveness as well as the austerity of John, his fierce courage in denouncing evil—all stem from his fundamental and total placing of his life within the will of God.
Saint John the Baptist is the Patron Saint of:
Baptism
The Catechism shows us how Baptism unites the Church as a “People of God of the New Covenant” and goes so far as to say that “Baptism constitutes the foundation of communion among all Christians.” We all belong to Jesus, together. Fr. Mike highlights the fact that with the gift of unity in Baptism comes real responsibility. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1267-1274.
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Baptism has profound effects upon the baptized: “purification from sins and new birth in the Holy Spirit.” The Catechism shows us that the graces of Baptism are so deep that—for the newly baptized—“nothing remains that would impede their entry into the Kingdom of God.” Fr. Mike relates to us the hard teaching that we are born mere beloved creatures of God—but through Baptism, we become adopted sons and daughters of God. Today’s readings are paragraphs 1262-1266.
Click on link to play video: https://youtu.be/NwAYzSg3wik
“Baptism is the sacrament of faith.” The Catechism explains to us who can baptize as well as why we need Baptism for eternal life. It also explains to us what happens when people die without the opportunity for Baptism. Fr. Mike addresses our “what about” questions concerning Baptism. Most especially, Fr. Mike addresses the destination of those who will never have the opportunity to hear the Gospel or be baptized. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1253-1261.
Click on link to play video: https://youtu.be/w4zORNkvFek
Put simply, “[e]very person not yet baptized and only such a person is able to be baptized.” The Catechism explains to us the purpose of Baptism for both adults and infants. Fr. Mike doubles down and makes sure we understand that Baptism is for everyone. God wills Baptism for all people. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1246-1252.
Click on link to play video: https://youtu.be/Dmn6P8e5AcU
Together with Fr. Mike, we continue our examination of the sacrament of Baptism, specifically the mystagogy of the rite of Baptism. The Catechism explains each and every element of the Baptismal rite, from the Sign of the Cross to the baptismal water. Fr. Mike concludes with a reflection on Baptism as the beginning of our sacramental journey and how we are called to walk as children of God throughout our lives after our Baptism. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1234-1245.
Click on link to play video: https://youtu.be/5d45Gr5Udgw
We continue our examination of the Sacrament of Baptism, specifically how we celebrate the sacrament and the different elements that must always be present in Baptism. Fr. Mike emphasizes that while infant Baptism has become the “form in which this sacrament is usually celebrated,” post-baptismal formation and instruction is necessary in order for the full flowering of the graces received in the Sacrament of Baptism. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1229-1233.
Click on link to play video: https://youtu.be/TdJyJnPHiWA
Together, we begin the chapter on the sacraments of initiation, specifically the section on the sacrament of Baptism. Fr. Mike unpacks the different names that the Church employs when discussing Baptism, such as the “washing of regeneration and renewal” and “enlightenment.” He concludes with a reflection on the prefigurations of Baptism in the Old Covenant. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1210-1222.
Click on link to play video: https://youtu.be/8687uCbz0D0
Love is the Language of the Holy Spirit
Father Peter Fitzgibbons
May 27 – 28, 2023
Gospel: John 20: 19-23
Remember last week I talked to you about the Ascension and how the human nature our good Lord took from the Blessed Mother was assumed into His divine nature. It’s the same nature that He suffered with, healed with, died with, was resurrected with, and took to Heaven. So, if Christ’s human nature is in Heaven, how does He continue to do His work in the world? Fair question. Well, He takes our human natures and uses them. Through the Holy Spirt, He takes all our human natures and forms His new Body which is the Church. With His new Body, He continues to teach, sanctify, heal, and bring His love to the world. His new Body will continue for generations until the end of the world. In the Book of Acts, our Lord says, “Paul, why are you persecuting Me? He didn’t say, “the church” or “a Christian Group.” He said, “Why are you persecuting Me?” He said, “Me” personally because we are a part of His body.
All those who are baptized are baptized in Christ. You are part of His new body extended throughout the Ages. That’s why it’s blasphemy when someone says, “Oh, I am reconciled to God but not His Church” or they say, “I love God but not the Church.” Absolute blasphemy. You love the head but not the body. That makes no sense. You cannot love one without the other. It’s a whole Person . . . a package deal. Christ takes our human natures which are offered by us or by our parents at our Baptism. He assumes our human natures into His new Body to become whatever part of His Body that represents our vocation to bring God’s word to others, to heal, teach, and sanctify. Whatever the vocation, Holy Orders, Religious, married life, or lay life – whatever part of His Body – we are called to build it up.
Christ uses our human nature to reach out and to bring His love to the world . . . to speak the universal language At Pentecost, Peter spoke to the crowd, and everyone heard him in their own language. Everyone hears the language of Christ. Now, I am not gifted in tongues. If you have ever been to the 12:15 Mass, you know that I do not have that gift. I speak Spanish with French accent. French is my second language. Believe it or not, I took Intermediate Conversational French in college, but my aunt who is 95 years old corrects my French. I had to relearn French because my family was French Canadian and did not speak the French you learn in books which is Parisian. While I cannot speak many languages, I know a priest who speaks five of them. We are all called, and we are all able, to speak the most important language – a language nobody hears – and that’s the language of love and of Christ living in the world. Whatever vocation and whatever circumstance in which you find yourself, bring Christ in. Be the Good Samaritan. Everybody sees that love. Everybody can translate that language . . . . the universal language of Christ.
I’ve told you this story before. I don’t have that many years left as a priest, so I’ll share with you the stories I’ve got. One day I was making my rounds in hospice at the VA, and two EMT’s wheeled in a patient. They wanted to know which room the patient was going in. The nurses were busy, so I told them and went down to the room with them. To transfer a patient onto the bed, it really takes three people. One to grab the sheet, another to hold the head, and another to hold the feet. Since there were only two EMT’s, I helped transfer the patient by holding his feet. After we moved him, I went to the sink to wash my hands since I hadn’t used gloves. One of the EMT’s who had been fairly rude to me earlier came over and said, “Thank you, Father.” It was a big change from when they first came in even though I hadn’t done anything special. One time a nurse asked me if I would help clean out a trachea tube which is not a real fun thing to do if you don’t have a strong stomach. Sure. “What did you do after that, Father?” Lunch. Cleaning the trachea tube didn’t bother me, and a man’s got to eat. Anything you do to help someone, those acts of love, will be noticed. They are things we do instinctively and perhaps with no forethought at all. Something as simple as helping somebody with their shopping cart at Walmart by putting the cart back in its proper place so that it doesn’t go careening through the parking lot. People will see those little acts of love. It truly makes a difference because nowadays it’s so unusual. But we are all called to do this as members of Christ’s Body.
We are called to teach, evangelize, and to build up His Body which is His Church. You were given the gift of tongue in Baptism because you were brought into the Body of Christ. The gift of tongue is not a bunch of babbling. Get some medicine, and you’ll be fine. You don’t have to be a linguist . . . you have to be holy. The gift of tongue is the gift of love by which we bring Christ’s love to the world. God can work through even such a sinful creature as I am to bring Christ’s love and goodness to people. You are no different than me – except better looking – God’s grace enables us to speak that one beautiful language of the Holy Spirit which is Christ and love. And when people ask you how you can do that, you can tell them the reason is your Faith. By the way, the reason is a Who and not a what. So do those small acts of love; they always have an effect. You never know.
Father’s Reflections . . .
I learned from a highly placed, confidential source that things are crazy at Walmart. It is Memorial Day weekend, and you can get great deals on all sorts of stuff like cars, mattresses, linens, appliances, and furniture. It makes me so proud that I fought for our country!
How will you apply this message to your life? ___________________________
You can read all of Father Fitzgibbons’ sermons by going to annunciationcatholicalbemarle.com and clicking on “Blog” then “Categories” then “Sermon Notes.” On a cell phone: click on “Blog” then “Menu” and then “Categories.” Sermon Notes are also available on the church Facebook page at ola.catholic.church. Click on “Groups” and then “Sermon Notes.”