Baptism is the foundation of our whole Christian life. No other sacrament may be received without it. As we baptize more and more children and adults here in Saint Michael Parish, maybe we should review once again what the Sacrament of Baptism truly is -- the gateway to the Lord.

Few of us can remember our own baptism. For most of Christian history people have normally been baptized as infants. This tradition was not always so; scholars tell us that until the end of the second century the common practice was adult baptism. Infant baptisms may have started when children were baptized along with their parents.

Many of you, surely, have witnessed the baptism of adults during the Easter Vigil. You probably recall the questions put to the candidates. The Church asks them to declare publicly their faith in Jesus Christ, and their rejection of all that is opposed to Him and His teaching. Only when they have personally professed this faith can they be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Baptism welcomes us as members of God's family, the Church. Baptism is the spiritual rebirth "in water and the Holy Spirit" which Jesus told us in John 3:3-8 is necessary for entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Baptism is spiritual rebirth because it gives us a new nature: the nature of the perfect man, Christ Jesus. To the extent that we lay hold of this gift and use it, we are able to rise above the temptations of evil that lurk within each of us. People who use the gift of their Christian nature to the full become so outgoing, loving and Christ-like that the whole world is impressed.

Seizing hold of the new Christian life given us at baptism, and using it, requires faith. However, infants and small children are not able to express faith. That is why, at infant baptism, the Church requires that someone who is capable of it express faith for the child: a parent or sponsor. Such individuals must promise to see that the child is given a Christian upbringing and every opportunity of making his or her own decision for Jesus Christ.

The Gospel writers tell us that at the baptism of Jesus, "A voice from heaven was heard: 'you are my beloved Son. On you my favor rests.' " The same words were spoken in heaven when each of us was baptized. We are challenged each day to recall who we are and to live that life fully: God's children on whom His favor rests.

Baptisms are held the fourth Sunday of every month here at Saint Michael Parish. Today, July 25th, we will celebrate the baptism of 10 children into the life of the Church. To have your child baptized please contact the rectory.

Father Albert L. Capone