Homilies

Baptism of Rileigh Irene

Why are you here, and why are you having this child baptized?

By your action and choice you are marking her as a Christian.

Anyone with a passing knowledge of the history of World War Two knows that you didn’t have to be a practicing or devote Jew to be thrown into a concentration camp. You either were or you were not. The Jewish people were marked by their simple membership in a people.

Anyone with a passing knowledge of the history of the Roman Empire knows that being marked as a Christian meant a certain death sentence. Yet so many became Christians. Why?

By baptism you mark this child as a member of the Christian people. You mark her as a Catholic. She is enrolled in the company of saints and is enrolled in the books of the Holy Church. You are setting her apart —“ not the wisest decision according to world opinion or popular culture —“ where being different is odd at best.

You are going to step forward to do this. You are going to stand up and set her apart from the world.

There are consequences for this action —“ lifelong and eternal.

As parents we desire what is best for our children. We pour out our love, dedication, devotion, and our hard work upon our children. We give them the best and protect them as best we can.

By bringing Rileigh Irene here you are saying something important. You are saying that you believe —“ on faith alone —“ that this action, that being a Catholic Christian, is good for Rileigh.

Our Church does not buy into the concept of original sin, as believed in some Churches. What we do acknowledge is that there is evil, sinfulness, and many dangers in the world. By this baptism the power of the Holy Spirit will regenerate Rileigh, and mark her as one opposed to the world, one opposed to sin.

Baptism is a good. You know that is has value, otherwise you wouldn’t waste a beautiful Sunday morning. I ask you to consider and think on the question of why.

You’ve set Rileigh aside for God —“ not a god of I don’t know, some sort of magical mystery god, but for the God —“ Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Tough choice and tough commitment.

Once you’ve done this —“ don’t forget that the Church —“ God’s people is something you thought had value. Come back weekly to enrich yourselves and Rileigh.