WORD OF LIVING WATER DAILY INSPIRATION

HOW TRANSFORMING IS YOUR BAPTISM?

(Is 40: 1-5,9-11, Psalm 104, Titus 2:11-14;3:4-7, Lk 3:15-16,21-22)

In his homily during the 40^th Anniversary of St. Victor’s Major Seminary in 1996, the then Archbishop of Tamale, the late Most Rev. Gregory E. Kpiebaya made a statement which caused mix- feelings in the priestly fraternity. And I quote him “Priests must first be baptised”. Some priests and lay faithful considered the statement as an indictment on the dignity of the priests. They thought he went far by condemning priests which he should have avoided. In the first place, there is no priest who has not been baptised if not they would not have been admitted in the seminary for their formation. But what was the prelate trying to communicate to his audience? His message was simple, that the behaviour of some priests and lay people betrays the very purpose of their baptism. They have rather become born againstinstead of born again. They have become counter witness to the gospel for which purpose they have been baptised.

The sacrament of baptism as a gate way to the other sacraments is the spiritual surgery or better still the spiritual circumcision of our hearts. Truly this sacrament is gradually losing its value in the life of some Catholics and for that matter some Christians. This was the message of the Archbishop in which he used the priest as an example.Baptism supposed to transform our lives and make us new people in Christ. The Catechism of the Catholic Church has this to say about baptism “Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: “Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water and in the word” (CCC1213). Through the waters of baptism, we are buried with Christ and resurrect with him in a new life; a life which is lived for Christ for the salvation of ourselves and that of the world. Through this baptism we receive indelible mark, which identifies us as chosen people of God. This imprinted character of Christ makes us to share in his divine life as his sheep. We are redeemed by Christ by being part of his chosen race, the new Israel (Christians). 

But the question is; Are Christians making this reality of baptism visible in our world today? For me I will say absolutely no, which includes my very self. Baptism has failed to transform our lives and not because it is not a proper baptism, but because we have failed to interiorised the sacrament in order to obtain its abundant benefits in our lives. The ceremony has become one of the social activities which we have been attending such as naming ceremony, wedding, funerals and others. Friends, we cannot afford to remain the same after baptism. If your life has not changed after your baptism then there is something wrong and you need deep reflection to unravel it. In the words of St. Paul “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor 5:17), is true for all Christians who have undergone authentic baptism; the type which has truly brought radical change in the life of the person. A number of us have become the Pharisees of our days because we are only acting-out. The double life has become too much in our lives. What we present ourselves to be is not what we are inwardly. How can such a life transform the world? How can such a life renew the face of the earth as the Holy Spirit wants to use us to accomplish? 

Matthew Kelly, the renowned American Catholic writer, in his book “Rediscover Catholicism” admits that there is identity crisis as Catholics. His argument is that many of us have failed to live authentic Catholic lifestyle. If we had, when people heard that you were marrying a Catholic, they would just assume that he is an honest, prayerful, generous man. If we had, when you were looking for a job people would just assume that you are a hardworking, ethical, self-motivated contributor who pays attention to the details of your work just because you are a Catholic Christian. If we had, people would be actively seeking us out in all of life’s situations, to be their spouses, neighbors, employees, employers, priests, teachers, and friends! Of course,he uses America as his setting but the situation is not much different in our context. Can somebody say because of you he/she is proud of Catholics or Christians in general?

The basic challenge of being authentic witnesses of our time was the case also for the first generation Christians. The environment might be different but they also had their challenges of being different as followers of Christ as against the norms of society. They also had issues of moral decadence, corrupt public leaders, and social deviants, to mention a few. But these people really made impart on their societies at the time even though their number was even far less as compared to ours. If the early church should have had the numbers as we have today, they would have transformed the entire universe. Considering the environment of brutal persecutions from both the Jewish leaders and the Roman authorities, they defied the odds to challenge the people of their time by their words and deeds.

Mahatma Gandhi, the Indian nationalist and spiritual leader, who brought freedom to India, once admitted in his public address that when he reads about the life of Christ; he sees the contrary in the life of Christians. He opined that if Christians were to live the life of Christ, there will be moral revolution in the world. Gandhi sees a clear dichotomy between the life of Christ and Christians in our world today. Gandhi was not a Christian but rather a Hindus, but he did not see the great impart of Christians in his community and the fact that those who were perpetrating acts of oppression of people were people who are supposed to be followers of Christ. In fact, these were pagan Christians who had no compassionate heart.

It is my prayer that the Holy Spirit will strengthen us to let the fruits of baptism become a reality in our lives, so that we can be sources of transformation in our world today irrespective of where we find ourselves. I also pray that we will make that interior conversion part and parcel of our preparations for the reception of this sacrament. And those who were baptised infants, I pray that you will rediscover your baptismal vows especially for those who have lost it. This year as part of your resolutions, remember to live out your baptismal promises. It is only by so doing that we can enjoy His favours and blessings in the course of the year. May our Mother Mary continue to intercede for us to follow her footsteps as an authentic sign post to Christ. AMEN.  

Once again happy new year and may god continue to bless you at the beginning of the year.

REV. FR. Akakpo Matthew