Do you clearly understand what you are undertaking…? – January 18, 2018

Walter and Virginia will be baptized this weekend. Walter (son of Daniel and Kamie Lambrecht)) is just a little guy, barely six weeks old. Virginia (daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Kelly) is not much older – she was born in August.  Father Steve will pour water over their heads, rub sweet smelling olive oil (“chrism”) on their foreheads, marvel over the beauty and dignity of their white gowns, and hand a candle to their godparents to light from the Christ Candle.  And we will sing, “Alleluia!” 

But before all that, their parents will answer this question, “Do you clearly understand what you are undertaking?” Every time a priest baptizes a baby, anywhere in the Roman Catholic world, he says to the parents: “You have asked to have your child baptized.  In doing so you are accepting the responsibility of training him/her in the practice of the faith.  It will be your duty to bring him/her up to keep God’s commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and loving our neighbor.  Do you clearly understand what you are undertaking?”

What a hard task! What an awesome obligation! Parents and godparents and all of us in the Christian community are saying we will teach the newly baptized to love God and love neighbor. It is a task that will take a lifetime.

But that’s what the Lambrechts and the Kellys (and we!) are signing up for. In a world of so much hurt and hate and violence and darkness, we are saying we will teach one another to love the way Jesus loves.

Tonight was the fourth of the “Laboring with God Toward Reconciliation” prayer services co-sponsored by the Justice & Life and Adult Faith Formation Committees of the parish. Tonight’s service, focused on peace and gospel non-violence, was led by parishioners Steve Bruns and Peg Burns.  It was not an “easy” prayer service.  The challenge to live gospel non-violence is demanding and overwhelming and annoying and frustrating.

We listened to powerful words of Jesus rejecting all forms of violence. We were challenged to question the notion of “justified violence.”  We reflected on the disheartening (expensive!) reality of violence in the world and in our personal lives.  We were led in an Examen. And then we were each called forward by name and received a small candle, lit from the Christ Candle. 

Just like Walter and Virginia will be called by name and receive a candle this weekend.

This is what Peg said to me as she smiled into my eyes and handed me a candle, “Mariann, on the day of your baptism, the Good Shepherd called you by name and gave you His Light. Enjoy the light.  Rest in the light.”  And then we returned to our seats and sat in prayerful silence for several minutes. 

I was no longer overwhelmed or annoyed or frustrated. Challenged, yes.  But more hopeful than fearful.  The Good Shepherd loves me and I am not alone.