Why Baptism?
By Mike Lambrecht
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”1 These words make up the last two verses of the Gospel of Matthew. Out of all of the things that the Holy Spirit could have inspired Matthew to write, this was the final recorded message of Jesus to his apostles. But why is this? What significance does baptism play in the role of the Church?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that, “Holy baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments.”2 For, “By baptism all sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal sins, as well as all punishment for sin.”3 In other words, after baptism, we are as spotless as we will ever be in this world.
Because baptism is of such vital importance, the Church teaches that, “Parents are obliged to take care that infants are baptized in the first few weeks; as soon as possible after the birth or even before it, they are to go to the pastor to request the sacrament for their child and to be prepared properly for it.”4 Sometimes parents are misinformed and want to wait to have their child baptized until the child is able to make the decision for themselves. All that I can say in this regard is that their thinking is flawed—It is baptism which can give the graces necessary for the gift of faith to be imparted to the child as it grows. “The faith required for Baptism in not a perfect and mature faith, but a beginning that is called to develop.”5 In addition, parents are often unaware that by waiting to have their child baptized until after they have attained the use of their reason, the Church expects that the child will receive comprehensive formation requiring between 9 and 24 months to complete (unless they are in danger of death).6
Furthermore, the Lord made it clear when he was on earth that
baptism is necessary for salvation.7
The Church, ever faithful in proclaiming the message of Christ, tells us that,
“Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been
proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament.”8
In fact, because baptism is such an important sacrament, the Church teaches that
while the bishop, priest, and deacon are the ordinary ministers of the
sacrament,
in the case of an emergency,
anyone –- even non-baptized individuals, can baptize anyone else provided that
they have the right intention and do so with water and the Trinitarian formula.9
Many people are astonished to learn of this.
In regards to infants, the Church tells us that “Through the grace of the sacrament of marriage, parents receive the responsibility and privilege of evangelizing their children. Parents should initiate their children at an early age into the mysteries of the faith of which they are the ‘first heralds’ for their children.”10 Part of this responsibility is making sure that they are properly prepared to fulfill their duty to their child and fully understand the obligations that will be placed on them by having their child baptized.11
To this end, St. Therese Parish is pleased to offer baptismal classes. These classes are held the beginning of every other month. Our next classes will be from 6-8 pm on Monday, Nov. 2nd. We also offer a RCIA process which allows those who have reached the age of reason (adults and children over age 6) a chance to learn about the faith and prepares them for Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. If you are a new parent, are expecting a child, or would like more information on our RCIA process, please give me a call at the R.E. Office at 359-9006.
1 Matthew 28:19-20 (NAB)
2 CCC 1213
3 CCC 1263
4 Code of Canon Law Can. 867
5 CCC 1253
6 Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults 7
7 See John 3:5
8 CCC 1257 & Mark 16:16
9 CCC 1256 and The Rites Volume 1 “Christian Initiation” paragraph 16.
10 CCC 2225
11 Code of Canon Law Can. 851