Edmond Grace SJ answers concerned grandparents about the baptism of their grandchild.
Our first grandchild was born eight months ago. We are anxious because the baby has not yet been baptised. Sadly our daughter and her husband no longer practise their faith. How can we encourage them to have the baby baptised?
I once visited a church in Co. Donegal where the architect had diverted a little stream near the church so that it now flows in front of the main door. To enter the church you have to step over the stream. This reminds us that Baptism is the moment of our first entry into the church, God’s household. It initiates us into the Church’s life and mission.
Getting the house ready
Before a new baby arrives the expectant parents go to a lot of trouble in preparation. Pretty baby clothes are made or bought, the latest model of pram and push-car are purchased and the baby’s room is decorated. What a pity if the preparations only occur at this material level.
The household of faith must also be got ready to welcome the new baby as God’s gift. The atmosphere and environment of faith needs preparation as God’s family rejoices in a new member. The seed of faith in a new family member can only germinate and flourish in a nourishing and protective environment supportive of faith.
Naming the baby
Parents spend time selecting a name for their new baby. This name, when called or used, will sum up the mystery of that unique person who bears it for life. The disciples of Jesus were first called ‘Christians’ at Antioch (Acts 11:26), an ancient city which was one of the cradle cities of Christianity.
It is at Baptism that we are first called ‘Christians’. We are baptised in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. This makes us something special, not only in our parents eyes, but also in the Divine gaze of the Blessed Trinity itself.
Baptism makes us part of the People of God, members of the Body of Christ and living stones in the Temple of the Spirit. Our Christian living must be in harmony with this Trinitarian ownership of us. As St. Patrick’s Breastplate reminds us: ‘We bind unto ourselves the strong name of the Trinity’.
Putting on Christ
At Baptism the newly baptised person is presented with a white garment. This symbolises our new-found dignity as Christians and living members of the Body of Christ. We have become a royal and priestly people (1st letter of Peter 2:9). St. Paul speaks of ‘clothing yourself in Christ’ (Galatians 3:27). We literally ‘put on Christ’ at Baptism as the new life of grace is given to us. We have our natural birth from our parents and our spiritual birth from God and the Church. It is no accident that we refer to the Church as ‘mother’ and to the baptismal font as a ‘life-giving womb’.
New life with Christ
Just as Moses led the Israelites from slavery to the Egyptians to safety and freedom by crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 14:15-31), so, too, Christ leads us through the baptismal waters to our salvation, delivering us from slavery to sin and death. Baptism unites us with the saving power of Christ’s Paschal Mystery. We are initiated into the process of dying and rising with Jesus (Romans 6:1-11). This becomes the heartbeat of our Christian existence as we model ourselves on Jesus’ example and share his victory over sin and death. Eucharist, Confirmation and Reconciliation build upon and strengthen what Baptism initiates.
Who decides?
Some parents renege on their responsibility about Baptism, saying: ‘Let the children decide for themselves when they grow up’. But such a weak stance is very likely to have an adverse effect on the children when the time comes for them to decide what they want. After all, parents do not leave decisions about food, clothes and schooling to their young children. Why should the possibility of faith and Church membership be left to a chance decision? Grandparents, and others, are rightly anxious about the baptism of their grandchildren. They have done their bit in handing on the faith and have a legitimate interest in seeing that their offspring pass on the same treasures of faith. They cannot force baptism on a child, but their concern for handing on the faith invites respect and imitation.
First and best teachers
The Baptismal blessing of parents asks them to remember that they will be the first teachers of their children. It invites them to be the best teachers. Children learn much from their parents that lasts for life. Why not let a lively Christian faith be part of your child’s home experience and so become the spiritual foundation of their lives?
This article first appeared in the Messenger, a publication of the Irish Jesuits.
