This is a commandment, a word from Jesus that we are invited to hear, listen to and obey. As we obey and baptize, we invite new believers in the community of the redeemed that the Church is. As we baptize, we witness of Christ at work in his body on earth, the Church. As we baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we witness of the unity and harmony that rules in the Trinity, a harmony that we are called to embody on earth, with God and with His people.
As we baptize we witness of the continuing action of God in this world, inviting to a new life in Christ, as people die to an old selfish life and welcome the Holy Spirit to be a new creation.
As we are baptized, we are invited to remove the clothes of sin and wear the new robe of Christ's righteousness and love in this world.
As we are baptized, we are invited to shine of God's mercy in this harsh world, to manifest that Jesus is alive in us, that Jesus is alive through us.
Baptism is not a magical action. Baptism is a prophetic declaration of the fact that Christ is alive, alive in the Church and alive in us. It is a declaration of our union to the body of Christ, and that we want to find our place and our role in the Church. Through baptism we witness of God's unfolding plan of love even in the midst of the worst darknesses of this world. Through baptism we witness of Christ's victory over death, of His resurrection, our firm hope and anchor for our faith and for all those who believe in Him and follow Him.
As we listen To this ancient and important word of Jesus on baptism, we are invited to welcome him in us today, to become always more Christlike through the indwelling and guidance of the Holy Spirit in us. This is not theoretical but thoroughly practical, God want us to really learn to receive his love and to share this love in the world today. As we learn to let our lives become an offering, an offering to God and an offering to our neighbor, we discover the joy of dying to self and living for God. This joy then becomes a beacon of hope for those around us, the salt of the earth and a bright light in this dark world.
Baptism is not about a set of rules that grant us the card of the Christian club, a kind of insurance for heaven. It is rather an invitation to let the Spirit that was in Jesus Christ rule in us, speak to our hearts and guide our steps in all we say and all we do. This intimacy with God is the real purpose of baptism and of the Christian faith, this intimacy is the only real assurance of eternal life, because eternal life is simply to have a deep fellowship with the only true God and with Jesus Christ whom He has sent.
Baptism is an invitation to realize that we are not the only ones listening to Jesus and following His footsteps, but that we are part of an amazing body of believers and that as we learn to walk together, grow together, witness together, shine of God's love together, this world will believe that Jesus is really the savior of the world. Baptism is a sign of humility, a humble recognition that Christ reached out to us through other persons of His body on earth, and that we are to become part of this blessed body and extend His love to many.
This is the blessed call to be baptized in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. These are the blessed promises of our baptism, this new life in God, this new life as part of the Church, Christ's body on earth.
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