January 11 – Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
This Sunday we recall the magnificent example that Our Lord Jesus Christ gave us when He was baptized by St. John the Baptist in the Jordan River, an event that drew torrents of grace from Heaven for the salvation of countless souls.
Just as the Father proclaimed, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Mt 3:17), we can similarly consider that the same voice is heard in every Baptism.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us: “This Sacrament is also called ‘the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit,’ (Ti 3:5) for it signifies and actually brings about the birth of water and the Spirit without which no one ‘can enter the Kingdom of God’ (Jn 3:5).”1
Since the Sacrament of Baptism is indispensable for our salvation, this very serious statement from the Holy Gospel shows us how harmful is the idea that circulates in some Catholic circles: “Let my child receive Baptism whenever he wants!”
Where did this folly come from?
From the world, we could say, through the media and social networks, which, with their maxims and bad habits, are undermining our faith.
To this is added the nefarious influence of intellectuals and teachers who in many places of learning propagate agnostic and materialistic principles, which, when they do not directly attack the Catholic Church, belittle her teachings.
It is worth emphasizing what the Catechism teaches us about this “washing of regeneration”:
“The Lord Himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation. He also commands His disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them. 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. The Church does not know of any means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude; this is why she takes care not to neglect the mission she has received from the Lord to see that all who can be baptized are ‘reborn of water and the Spirit.’”2
Let us ask the Blessed Virgin that Catholic parents, and all those who have the grave responsibility to procure this Sacrament, do so out of love for God and with great zeal for the salvation of souls, setting aside spiritual “convenience”, heterodox ideas, and worldly interests. ◊
Notes
1 CCC 1215.
2 CCC 1257.
