However, in the spirit of this blog, I am not going to go off the deep end. No. I am instead going to calmly turn this into a lesson about my take on sacraments in general, instead of zeroing-in on the question of infant baptism.
In ParishWorld.net we had put up a question to the community about why it is imperative for parents to have their children baptized as infants. ParishWorld.net is where you can find the entire discussion. Here is what got to me:
God does not have any grandchildren. We cannot get to heaven by what someone does for us. The Bible says that we need to repent of our sins and put our faith in Jesus Christ and Him alone for remission of sins. Baptism is an outword expression of an inword commitment. Jesus said nothing about sacraments. That is Catholic doctrine, and is not Biblical. Babies and anyone under the age of accountability will be with a Loving Heavenly father . 2Timothy 3:15-17, says And that from childhood you known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 17. That the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The bold is the main part. The light italics are the favorite quote that non-Catholics (Protestants) throw at Catholics, in season and out; in reason or out. So I will ignore that part and present you with my opinion on Baptism in the Catholic Church. I mention its relation to Circumcision which was to be administered eight days after the birth of the child. I will also make the point that it is not just the words that are Biblical, but the behavior of Jesus that is Biblical as well. If it is Biblical, then it must hold a lesson for us.
“God does not have any grandchildren.” Good one.
You say that we cannot get to heaven by what someone does for us. We Catholics believe that we get to heaven because of what Jesus Christ did and does for us. Isn’t He someone?
Sacraments are holy, sacred ritualistic acts that Jesus practiced before our very eyes and urged us to memorialize in our discipleship to Him. He thereby sacramentalized cleansing and belonging through Baptism, thereby spiritualizing Circumcision. He did the same for eating at the Last Supper and told us that Eucharist is the source of the spiritual strength that we need to gain eternal life. John’s chapter six is important reading in this matter. Jesus gave us the authority to forgive the sins of the contrite when we admit them publicly to the delegated authority of the Church (Confession). He sacramentalized the Healing of the sick and the infirm by showing us how to do it with mud from spittle and laying on of hands (Catholics use fragrant oil). All of these rituals, and more, are outward signs of internal commitment and a dispensation of Divine Grace. They are all elements of the New and Everlasting Covenant between Jesus and His people. Catholics believe this because all of these actions are open behaviors that Jesus Himself practiced for our edification and continued practice. Sacraments are not Catholic Doctrine alone. Sacraments are sacred vestiges of the public life of Jesus as memorialized and practiced by His People. This Humanly Divine life that He lived and left us for our benefit is Biblical, and deserves to be understood and accepted as directive of our earthly behavior.
I pray that you will learn to unshackle yourself from the Bible verses (Out of context in the comment that you submitted.) and learn to read the inspired stories so that the Divine Teaching that they contain will come to mean something to you.
You say that we cannot get to heaven by what someone does for us. We Catholics believe that we get to heaven because of what Jesus Christ did and does for us. Isn’t He someone?
Sacraments are holy, sacred ritualistic acts that Jesus practiced before our very eyes and urged us to memorialize in our discipleship to Him. He thereby sacramentalized cleansing and belonging through Baptism, thereby spiritualizing Circumcision. He did the same for eating at the Last Supper and told us that Eucharist is the source of the spiritual strength that we need to gain eternal life. John’s chapter six is important reading in this matter. Jesus gave us the authority to forgive the sins of the contrite when we admit them publicly to the delegated authority of the Church (Confession). He sacramentalized the Healing of the sick and the infirm by showing us how to do it with mud from spittle and laying on of hands (Catholics use fragrant oil). All of these rituals, and more, are outward signs of internal commitment and a dispensation of Divine Grace. They are all elements of the New and Everlasting Covenant between Jesus and His people. Catholics believe this because all of these actions are open behaviors that Jesus Himself practiced for our edification and continued practice. Sacraments are not Catholic Doctrine alone. Sacraments are sacred vestiges of the public life of Jesus as memorialized and practiced by His People. This Humanly Divine life that He lived and left us for our benefit is Biblical, and deserves to be understood and accepted as directive of our earthly behavior.
I pray that you will learn to unshackle yourself from the Bible verses (Out of context in the comment that you submitted.) and learn to read the inspired stories so that the Divine Teaching that they contain will come to mean something to you.
I hope tomorrow will be lighter and more humorous.
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