The Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time – September 8, 2024
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September 5, 2024Dear Parishioners,
In the Order for Celebrating Marriage, revised in the English edition as recently as 2016, there are three questions that the bishop, priest, or deacon asks of the bride and groom before they solemnly exchange their vows. The third one is this: “Are you prepared to accept children lovingly from God and bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?” Each responds: “I am.”
At that time, I would imagine that most couples are not yet focused on the child or children that will come into their lives. However, sometimes sooner, sometimes later, their beloved baby arrives. The look on the faces of new parents is one that I think reflects the very face of God. The same is true in the face of the new born. I would say that in the lilt of a baby’s laughter, you can hear the angels sing.
With great anticipation the Baptism day arrives. The little one is brought to Church for his or her baptism, or christening. All are happy. Joy is abundant. Parents, who are marveling at the new life that will change their lives forever, present their child at the Baptismal font so that he or she may be recreated, reborn, raised up, by the power of Christ’s death and resurrection. As the priest immerses the child or pours the blessed water on him or her three times, he calls out the child’s new name and proclaims: “. . . . I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” At that precise moment the Original Sin is removed, AND the Life of the Most Blessed Trinity begins to dwell within the soul of the baby. The holy words, given to us by Jesus Himself; and the water, also mandated by the Lord right before his Ascension, CAUSE WHAT THEY SYMBOLIZE OR SIGNIFY. GOD ACTS PERSONALLY. THIS IS NO MERE RITUAL. The child is from that moment a beloved Son or Daughter of our loving Heavenly Father, in Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit. This identity can never be taken away. To say that we are children of God is not figurative, but very real.
On the baptism day the parents are met by the priest, traditionally at the door of the church, and asked to state their intentions to baptize their child. Then the priest says: “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 our neighbor. Do you clearly understand what you are undertaking?” The parents respond: “We do.” Then the priest, parents, and godparents make the sign of the cross with their thumbs on the forehead of the dear little one. This child is claimed for Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior, for all his or her days and even into eternity.
The Catholic Church has always taught and continues to teach that parents are the primary educators of their children. Catholic schools and religious formation programs are meant to support parents in the task they solemnly promised to fulfill at the time of their wedding and at the time of baptism. Our school has already begun for the year. Our Religious Education program begins today. This task is meant to be taken very seriously. Education in the faith involves a training of the mind, heart, and soul in the ways handed down to us by the Lord Himself in His Church. It is taught by word, but most of all by good example. Indeed, the best way to hand on the faith is to be loved by those who love the Lord. Catechesis means not merely imparting knowledge, but leading souls to a way of life founded on Jesus Christ. This is the life of sanctifying grace. The faith must be taught and caught. All is grace, it is often said.
As the core of Catholic life, the Church has always gathered at the altar to celebrate the Holy Eucharist each Sunday and Holy Day. This is a divine precept that can never be reformed. To teach otherwise is to contradict a practice that is at the heart of the Gospel. What was done from the first days of the Church is recorded in Acts 2:42: “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” Thus have the faithful steadfastly and fervently united in prayer each Sunday and Holyday down through the centuries. This is done at the Lord’s command (Luke 22:19): “Do this in memory of me.” Regular attendance at Mass is a sign that we are with the Lord in our daily lives. It shows that our families live and love in Christ. It means that we promise never to abandon Him, as we embrace His words (John 15:5): “’apart from me you can do nothing.’”
Right before his Ascension Jesus solemnly proclaimed (Matthew 28:18-20): “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and do, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” Let each one of us do his or her part to pass on what we have received from Him. Every Christian is called to be a missionary for Christ. The greatest privilege of parents is to pass on the faith to their children. And if the children fall away from the practice of their faith later in life, it is good to pray that they return to the Faith of Our Fathers and to offer up penances and sacrifices for that intention. We are glad to recommit ourselves to be loving and faithful disciples of the Lord - - all our days.
A word of encouragement to all from Revelation 2:3: “I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.”
Yours in her Immaculate Heart,
Fr. Mark G. Mazza, Pastor
