Homily for 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Homily for 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Homily for 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Homily for 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Last week for the feast of The Baptism of the Lord, we were told the story of Jesus’s Baptism from the Gospel of Matthew. Today, we are presented with the Gospel of John, where John the Baptist sees Jesus coming towards him from far off. He is excited to see the Lamb of God approaching. John exclaims that though he came to baptise with water he had been told, by the one who sent him, he would see the Spirit come down and rest on the Lamb of God, and this man, Jesus, would baptise with the Holy Spirit. John knew from this point onwards he would need to step aside, because the one who was greater than he had arrived, God’s Chosen One.

There is a sense from the way John expresses himself on seeing Jesus approaching that he is relieved. His responsibilities are coming to an end. The following day, when John saw Jesus passing, he again declared “Look, there is the lamb of God”. Two of John’s disciples straight away follow Jesus to see where he lived. Jesus told them to “Come and see”, so they did and stayed with him until late that night. One of them was Andrew, brother of Simon Peter.

Today, if you were an adult wishing to become part of the Catholic Church you would need to go through a programme of instruction which allows you to see what Church life is about and the responsibilities you are taking onboard to become a member of the Church. Depending on whether you are from another Christian denomination or a non-Christian, you may find the programme takes up to a year or so. Quite a commitment.

As a young man, I found myself on such a journey. It required patience but it also gave me a chance to explore what the Catholic Church was and what the Church, the Body of Christ, believed. Much of what was covered I was very familiar with, coming from the Church of England. But for many concepts of Christianity may be quite alien to them. Part of the journey is to discover why you want to be a Catholic Christian? The other is to ensure you are not being coerced into a decision against your will. This is like the journey of formation undertaken to become a Deacon and a Priest.

As a Deacon, I now have the privilege of Baptising Children. In many ways, it is important that parents and godparents know the responsibilities they are taking on. They are promising to bring the child up in the faith, to keep God’s commandments as taught by Jesus, to love God and our neighbours. And before they get to say ‘We do’, I have to clarify that they clearly understand what they are undertaking, both the parents and the godparents.

There are then some prayers on intercession, followed by prayer of Exorcism and anointing before baptism. A blessing and invocation of God over the Baptismal water is said.

Before the baptism takes place both parents and godparents must renounce sin and profess their faith. They are asked to be constant in their care of the child so that he or she will practice the faith and be kept away from the poison of sin, so their faith will grow strong in their heart. Then the parents and godparent as ask if their Faith is strong to renew the Vow made during their own Baptism and again at Confirmation. Then they are asked if the reject Satan, all his empty works and all his empty promises. Once they say I do, they are asked if they believe in the creed of our Church, usually the Apostle’s Creed.

At this point the parents, godparents and celebrant move to the font. Again, the child’s parents and godparents are asked if they would like the child Baptised into the Faith of the Church? By responding “It is”, the baptism ceremony is performed with running water poured onto the child’s forehead, as the priest or deacon says these exact words, “I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”.

In this simple act, the indelible mark of baptism has been placed on the child, who has become one of God’s Chosen Ones. The Holy Spirit descends on them, and they become sharers in God’s life. Like their parents and godparent, the child will be asked to take on the responsibilities assigned to us by God. These tasks include removing sin from our world, being apostles of light to all nations and bringing salvation to the entire world.

Quite a lot of responsibility, which many might want to run away from or pass on to those we believe to be more qualified. The point is, we are not to think we must do this alone. We are a Church, a body of people who equally have the responsibility to help one another, so the burden becomes lighter, not heavier. We will get things wrong but if we share our experiences as they have been taught to each other of us, we can help make the vision clearer, especially in how we have experienced forgiveness of ourselves and to others. We can share how we have received the Good News and help bring others into the presence of the living God.

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