Who do you claim to be?

The Question of Identity Who do you claim to be? The Question of Identity The image we have of ourselves impacts our actions, words, attitudes and vision of life; how we treat ourselves and others. The fact that you have been baptized should shape your deepest sense of self-identity. Baptism seals, or marks, a person with the indelible identity of a Christian. How might you make your Christian identity more evident to others?

Who do you claim to be? The explanatory rites of Baptism are: Anointing with Sacred Chrism: A sign that the baptized are now numbered in the company of the People of God. Clothing with a White Garment: Signifies that the newly baptized have become a new creation ‘clothed’ in Christ. Presentation of a Lighted Candle: A reminder that the newly baptized have been ‘enlightened by Christ’ and are to ‘walk as lights in the world’, proclaiming Jesus, the Light of the world. Ephpheta, or Prayer Over the Ears and Mouth: A reminder that God nourishes the newly baptized to proclaim the Gospel.

Who do you claim to be? Baptism unites us to Jesus Christ, who is Priest, Prophet and King. Jesus Christ is the great High Priest and Mediator between God and humankind. Jesus is the final and greatest Prophet whom God sent to reveal what is and what is not of God’s reign. Jesus is the promised King or ruler, who leads God’s people to do God’s will on earth now, as it is done in Heaven. Jesus’ life and teaching and his Death and Resurrection show us the way to live with justice, compassion and peace by living the Great Commandment as he lived it.

Rights and responsibilities of the baptized The baptized have the right and responsibility to. . . Holiness of Life: includes the responsibility to lead a holy life and to worship and share in the spiritual riches of the Church; includes the right to a Christian education. Build up the Church, the Body of Christ: includes the responsibility to care for and promote the growth of the Church; includes the right to speak up on matters concerning the integrity and vitality of the Church. Proclaim the Gospel: includes the responsibility to spread the divine message of Salvation, promote social justice and help the poor from their own resources.

Rights and responsibilities of the baptized Our greatest baptismal right and responsibility is ‘to love’ as Jesus did. Jesus said: ‘Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.’(John 13:34). Jesus taught us the Great Commandment: ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind . . . and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matthew 22: 36, 39) All the laws of the Church are written to guide us in living ‘the way’ Jesus commanded us to live; in other words, living the Great Commandment.

Adopted children of God the Father! God calls families to be images of the Divine Family, the Holy Trinity. Created in God’s image, families are to share life and love, both within the family and outside the family, as God does. In Baptism God embraces us with his love. In 1 John 3:1 we read: ‘See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.’ In Baptism, God embraces us as his ‘beloved’ children.

Adopted children of God the Father! While Baptism is usually administered in a church, there are two exceptions to this standard practice. They are Baptism of Desire and Baptism of Blood. Baptism of Desire: This takes place when someone who is not informed of Jesus and the Church nevertheless seeks God sincerely and strives to fulfill God’s will as best they understand it. Because Christ died for all, such people are considered to have been ‘saved’ by Baptism of Desire. Baptism of Blood: This takes place when anyone who is not baptized suffers death for the sake of the faith. The Church considers this person’s death to be for and with Christ, and in this sense the person is baptized into Christ’s Death and Resurrection by the shedding of their own blood.

Remembering our Baptism Remembering our Baptism is vital to our growing as children of God and disciples of Jesus. There are several rituals during the Mass that help us remember and renew our Baptism: The celebrant invites everyone to make the Sign of the Cross. The lighted candles remind us that we have been ‘enlightened by Christ’. Burning incense helps us lift up our mind and heart to God in prayer. Sprinkling the assembly with baptismal water, or holy water, helps us recall our rebirth at Baptism.

Remembering our Baptism Sacramentals are sacred signs instituted by the Church that bear a resemblance to the Sacraments. Sacramentals ‘prepare us to receive grace and dispose us to cooperate with it’ (CCC, no. 1670). Sacramentals can be actions accompanied by prayer, such as blessing ourselves by making the Sign of the Cross and sprinkling with holy water. Sacramentals can also be objects that have been consecrated or blessed, for example, altars, chalices and sacred oils, the Lectionary and the Book of the Gospels, holy water, candles, crucifixes, statues, scapulars, medals, representations of the Stations of the Cross and rosary beads.

Catherine de Hueck Doherty (1896–1985) The Church has named Catherine de Hueck Doherty to be a ‘Servant of God’. Love for God and others motivated Catherine to live her Baptism without compromise. Hearing Jesus’ words from Matthew 19:21, ‘Go, sell your possessions and give the money to the poor . . . then come, follow me’, led Catherine to commit her life to working with the poor.

Catherine de Hueck Doherty (1896–1985) In 1930 Catherine founded Friendship House, an organization of Catholic lay men and women dedicated to bringing the justice and love of Jesus to individuals and institutions. In 1947 she founded Madonna House, a community of love committed to making the Gospel ‘real’ for people living in poverty, whether that poverty be spiritual or physical or economic.

Explanatory rites of Baptism Sacred Chrism Lighted baptismal candle Ephpheta Code of Canon Law Proclaim the Gospel Justification Baptism of Desire Baptism of Blood Sacramentals