Faith Seeking Understanding for May 21, 2006

As I celebrated the baptism of my nephew, Maximillian Patrick, last weekend in Palo Alto, California, I was reminded of the great joy that the Church always experiences when she welcomes new members at the baptismal font. But the Rite of Baptism also reminds us of the great responsibilities we have as baptized members of Christ’s Body, the Church. During the Easter Season, the Church focuses on the Sacrament of Baptism in a unique way, because the Paschal Mystery – the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ – is the way in which we are reborn into the life of Christ.

Today’s first reading recalls the extension of the Sacramental life of the Church to the Gentiles, through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. St. Peter, speaking in his capacity as the head of the Apostles and the first Pope, and inspired by the Holy Spirit, teaches that since the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles, they could not be denied baptism. Baptism wasn’t the end of the journey for those new Christians, nor is it the end of our journey. This Sacrament is the beginning of our life in Christ, opening us to the grace of the Sacraments, and welcoming us into His Body. Apart from these graces, though, Baptism confers a great responsibility upon each of us: parents, godparents, children, and indeed the whole Christian community.

Our Baptism compels us to live a life of Christian fidelity and evangelical zeal. This means that everyone we meet should in some way know the love of the Father; amazingly enough, as we spread this love of the Father, we experience His love in an ever deeper way. Obeying the Commandments of God allow us to know His love, because this is the way in which we experience His Covenant. Christ was faithful unto death, and when we imitate His fidelity, we are no longer slaves, but His friends.

While I have been gone to California, I have been blessed in many different ways, especially with the opportunity to celebrate Mass at two of the great California missions: Santa Barbara and San Juan Bautista. I also celebrated Mass at my sister’s parish, and was privileged to be able to preside at a beautiful celebration of Vespers on Sunday evening. You are all in my prayers, and I thank you for your prayers while I have been gone. May God bless you abundantly!