Bishop Eric Menees
On the Third Sunday of Advent I had the honor of presiding
at the baptism of Isaac Angel Gomez in my role as pastor at Our Lady of
Guadalupe. Following the sermon, I pronounced to the congregation, “The
Candidate for Holy Baptism will now be presented.” With that Isaac’s parents
stood, along with his godparents, to undertake the solemn task of presenting
their child and godchild to the Lord and the Church to receive the sacrament of
baptism by stating, “I present Isaac Angel Gomez to receive the sacrament of
baptism.”
If Isaac was older I would have asked him: “Have you already
been baptized?” & “Do you desire to be baptized.” These questions are asked
because the sacrament of baptism is a once for all event. We can, of course,
renew our baptismal vows but we cannot be re-baptized.
The act of presentation is vital to the process of baptism
for several reasons.
First, the parents are required to be baptized believing
Christians as are the godparents because, for younger children, they answer for
themselves the renunciations and confessions that are about to be made for
themselves on behalf of the child. They are making a solemn promise and vow to
raise the child in a Christian home and in a personal and life changing
relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In addition, in presenting
the child for the sacrament of baptism they are presenting themselves as the
primary teacher and defender of the faith for the child.
I was blessed last Sunday when after nearly a year of
discipleship, Isaac’s parents were willing to make that commitment before God
and before his Church. The decision to raise children in the faith is the most
important decision that a parent can make on behalf of their child.
How sad it has been for me over the years to speak with
parents who choose not to baptize their children, even though they are
attending church, because they want their children to make the decision for
themselves. How absurd that idea is. We would never say, “I’m not going to
educate my child because they need to make that decision for themselves.” To
raise our children in the Christian faith is one of the most vital and sacred
responsibilities we have as Christian parents, and I would argue that those who
choose not to raise their children in the faith are Christians in name only.
I am so very proud of Angel and Brisceyda for making the
decision to raise their child in the faith once delivered and to publicly
confess their own faith.
The Third Sunday of Advent is often referred to as “Gaudete
Sunday” or “Rejoicing Sunday.” I rejoice with the Gomez’ at the birth and
baptism of their son!
I pray you all a blessed Advent.
