Focus on Faith
Spiritual effects and benefits of baptism
Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, and it has powerful and long-lasting effects. It changes the spiritual character of a person forever, and the mark of transformation is so permanent that it is indelible; it can never be erased. What follows is a concise list of nine of the most important effects and benefits of the sacrament of baptism.
Letting our story sit in our hearts
“Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Messiah” (Mt 16:20).
Integrity needed more than ‘authenticity’
Q: I value authenticity and loathe hypocrisy, and I want to simply be true to myself. How can I do that if I constantly am told what to believe and how to behave by the Church?
Parental duties to their baptized children
During the rite of baptism, after the parents request the sacrament of baptism for their child, the priest or deacon states, “You are accepting the responsibility of training your child in the practice of the faith.” Then, before the pouring of water, the instruction to the parents is repeated: “Make it your constant care to bring your child up in the practice of the faith.”
Listening heart
When was the last time that you had a conversation with God? Who initiated the conversation? God or you?
Mom should know her place in son’s marital challenges
Q. My son and his wife have been married nine years and have four children. His wife homeschools their children and wants three more kids, but my son is exhausted when he gets home, and his wife expects him to “take over” while she “takes a break.” She says that the Church demands that they have more children. I would support my son if this was all too much and he asked for a divorce.
The art of listening
There is a story about a couple with marital difficulties who sought help. They were each given a flask with water in it and were told the water would keep them from arguing so much. Thrilled with the idea of the miraculous liquid, the couple asked how it worked. Imagine their surprise when they were told that the “miraculous” water worked because one person puts the liquid in his or her mouth while the other one talks, and the person cannot swallow the water until the other is finished talking. Then they reverse roles.
The waters of baptism
Water is the principal symbol for baptism. John baptized Jesus with water in the Jordan River. Jesus and his disciples went into the region of Judea, where they baptized others with water (Jn 3:22-23). When Jesus died, water flowed from his pierced side (Jn 19:34), an outpouring of his grace through water. It is a rich symbol filled with spiritual meaning.
Living Christianity’s great adventure
When I was just a little kid, I had a near–drowning experience, and although I now love being around water, I still feel uncomfortable being in over my head.
Availability an essential key to discipleship
Q. I really want God to be able to use me, but I don’t know how to go about it. I mean, I want to be a disciple of Jesus and not simply a “nice person who goes to church.” But I don’t know how to make a difference.
Grace, love and fellowship
We think of the Bible as revelation without always reflecting on the profound content of what God is revealing. As Pope Paul VI’s 1965 “Dei Verbum” says, “Through divine revelation, God chose to show forth and communicate himself and the eternal decisions of his will regarding the salvation of men. That is to say, he chose to share with them those divine treasures which totally transcend the understanding of the human mind.”
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