Bishop Eric Menees
In our examination of the 2019 BCP Service of Holy Baptism we’ve come to the concluding prayer. The candidates have been chrismated – anointed with chrism oil – and “marked as Christ’s own forever.”
Following chrismation, the candidate is often presented with a candle representing the light of Christ. I always invite the parents or the newly baptized to light the candle each year on the anniversary of their baptism and remember the magnitude of the event.
Following the presentation of a candle the celebrant prays a prayer of thanksgiving that encapsulates the meaning of baptism: anointing of the Holy Spirit, forgiveness of sins, adoption and being made a member of the church.
Of course, all of this is more than any man or woman can comprehend. Rather, we need to live into what it means to have the Holy Spirit dwelling with in us, to be forgiven and adopted as a child of God.
As we begin the season of Lent, this is a perfect time to re-examine our relationship with the Lord and what our own baptism means.
I pray you a blessed and holy Lent!
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