Baptism:  The Beginning of Ministry

The Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord brings together three of the main aspects of our Christian faith:  the Birth of Our Lord, the Resurrection of Our Lord and the Coming of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus is the “Beloved Son of the Father”, beginning his ministry of salvation and mission in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Through the sacrament of Baptism we share in the life of the Risen Lord and we become a temple of the Holy Spirit.

In Baptism - we are named, identified within our own family and identified within the Family of God.  We are welcomed to the Faith Community and signed with the Sign of the Cross.

We were instructed in the Word of God especially outlining the gift of the Holy Spirit for us.

We were anointed not once but twice, empowered to overcome the power of evil in the world and strengthened to share in the ministry of Jesus.

We were named and washed in the waters of Baptism and entrusted with the life of Christ.

We were clothed in a white garment as a symbol of a new life in Christ.

We were given a Baptismal Candle to denote that we were beginning a pilgrimage of light in the world.

As we were anointed with the Oil of Chrism we were anointed to share in the life of Christ.

as people of prayer and worship

as people of understanding and practice of the way of the Gospel

as people of leadership and service

Each baptised person through sharing in the life of Jesus as priest / prophet / king is invited to witness to their Baptism through prayer, proclaiming God’s Word / leadership through justice.

Fr. Brian Moore, C.M.

7th January, 2007