The Sacraments are an integral part of life in the Catholic Church. Each Sacrament provides us with graces to live out our lives in the fullness of Christ. Over a series of posts we will look at each of the Sacraments in depth and see what each Sacrament offers us in terms of graces, and how it provides us with everything we need to enter into the Kingdom of God. Baptism is the first of all of the Sacraments. Without Baptism we are not able to receive any of the others. In essence “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.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1213).
Why is Baptism important?
The Lord himself expressed the necessity for Baptism when he said “Truly, I say to you: Unless one is born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (Jn 3:5). Therefore we can see that Baptism is absolutely necessary for our salvation. In order to fully comprehend the implications of this Sacrament we must consider each element in detail.
Forgiveness of sins
Everyone born into this world is afflicted by the wound of Original Sin – the sin committed by our first parents. However, in “Baptism all sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal sins, as well as punishment for sin. In those who have been reborn nothing remains that would impede their entry into the Kingdom of God” (CCC 1263). Thus we are purified from all sins but there are some temporal consequences of sin that will stay with us. These consequences are: “suffering, illness, death and such frailties as weakness of character, and so on, as well as an inclination to sin” (CCC 1264). Why are these left? They are left for us to wrestle with, this inclination to sin cannot harm us if, by the grace of Jesus, we resist it.
“A new creature”
At our Baptism we become a “new creature”, that is we become an adopted son of God as well as a “member of Christ and co-heir with him, and a temple of the Holy Spirit.” (CCC 1265). We are also given, by the Holy Trinity, sanctifying grace or the grace of justification. For us this means that we are enabled to believe, and hope, in God as well as to love him. We are given the power to live and act with the help of the Holy Spirit. Finally, we are able to “grow in goodness through the moral virtues.” (CCC 1266). Here we can see, that Baptism is the start, the very root of our supernatural life with God.
A member of the Body of Christ
Baptism also makes us members of the Church – the Body of Christ. We belong no longer to ourselves, but to the one who died and rose again for us. We belong to Jesus and as such we are called to serve and share in Christ’s ministry. We are called to participate in the “apostolic and missionary activity of the People of God” (CCC 1270).
Communion of Christians
Baptism unites all Christians – even those who are not in full communion with the Catholic Church – because each one is incorporated into Christ. Therefore, our Christian counterparts are accepted as brothers and sisters in Christ, by all members of the Catholic Church.
The seal of the Lord
At our Baptism the Holy Spirit marks us with the seal of the Lord, meaning that we belong to the Lord and which commits us to live holy lives. This seal, says St Irenaeus, “is the seal of eternal life”. Indeed, if we are faithful and keep the seal until the end – that is not allowing sin to prevent us from being able to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven – we will depart this life in “expectation of the blessed vision of God … and the hope of the resurrection.” (CCC 1274) Baptism opens the door for us to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Our sins are forgiven and we are filled with sanctifying grace which enables us to truly know and love God, to believe and to act under the promoting of the Holy Spirit. Thus we are equipped to begin living our life in accordance with God’s will. As members of the Body of Christ we are called to take part in both the apostolic and missionary work of the Church. Through our witness of holy lives, we will keep our mark of faith evident as well as helping others come close to Christ. And as we continue our journey of faith we continue to receive Sacraments that will aid us as we strive for eternal happiness.
First published in In Sight MagazineOriginally posted 2014-10-23 22:04:27.