The central part of the Sacrament of Baptism is the pouring of water on the head of the one to be baptized while saying, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
At that moment something happens in the soul of the one being baptized.
The central part of the Sacrament of Baptism is the pouring of water on the head of the one to be baptized while saying, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
At that moment something happens in the soul of the one being baptized.
This is why Saint Paul says in the second reading: “Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” (Rom. 6:3). When that water is poured and the above phrase is spoken, the person being baptized truly meets Jesus in His death and resurrection.
This is why Original Sin is washed away: because where there is Christ there can be no sin. And this is why the one being baptized is made a member of the Church: because where Christ is, there the Church is.
When we were baptized, our soul was sealed and marked indelibly that we belong to Christ. This is why sin is so terrible. Because when we sin, we mar the mark of our Baptism. Sin offends God. It rejects Him. But sin does not have to have the last word, even habitual sin.
The Sacrament of Confession is so profound: because when we confess our sins with sorrow, something happens in the soul of the one confessing: God the Father does something in the soul. Through the words of absolution by the priest, God the Father, by the action of the Holy Spirit, sends God the Son such that Jesus Christ is made present in the soul of the one confessing. And Christ conquers all. We cannot conquer our sin. But Christ has and does.
Let the Holy Spirit guide us to the Sacrament of Confession so that we can welcome Christ as He drives away sin and rescues us.
God bless,
Msgr. Bransfield
