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WOF Radio > Sermons > Sermon Archive for 2013 > Sermon 627 : Vitae Spiritualis Ianua: Baptism of the Lord

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Sermon 627 : Vitae Spiritualis Ianua: Baptism of the Lord

1/13/2013

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The first Sacrament one can receive in the Church, Baptism, defines our relationship with Christ. In it, we are reborn as part of his mystical body, and are gifted the grace of God's love. Baptism lays the foundation for every other Sacrament we are to receive, and inextricably links us with the Trinity.

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Comments

joan

Such Truth.

'Understand something really decisive about Christianity. Christianity is not primarily about becoming a good person, doing the right thing, heart of gold, et cetera… FACE IT.'

Oh Father Barron, It IS more exciting!

wow - to be grafted onto Christ - we speak of becoming a member of HIS mystical body, a share in the divine life, drawn into the inner life of Christ. It DOES flow. It's our yes to HIM, it's more than just hope, it's our relationship with HIM, but perhaps that's hope? When I was thinking of HIM choosing me first, I cowered in gratitude… and I confess, I hit the floor and covered my head. The Love was truly overwhelming.

When I pray, most especially at Mass, there is such peace knowing I am, by HIS grace, sharing in the Holy Spirit. I reach for it all the time, every time. Sometimes I want it so bad, it's just empty nothingness… but, I know He's there, I trust Him… best I can.

As I was walking to Mass this morning, a thought popped into my head saying, "get me out of here". It was me, (how sinful is that? geez.) I was having a conversation with God and HE allowed me to hear what I said to HIM. I left Mass resolved I am here for HIS purpose alone. Sometimes… HIS love consumes me in a way there are no words.

Your explanation, example of us in this world using a baby, a child, is so good. Do they hear you? I pray.

I've been told that I've been brain washed…. my heart is so heavy in sadness for the one who doesn't know. Shaking dust in Christian love is painful.

The Gospel contains one of my most favorite verses, "You are my beloved son, with you I am well pleased." - most especially when it's followed by "Listen to Him." Without looking, I'm not sure in which Gospel those words follow, but I believe I remember it being read during Easter season…. "Listen to Him."

1/9/2013 6:30:08 PM

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Fr. Paul Hoffman

If we choose to be baptized is it not then we who choose God? If God chooses us first, then our choice to be baptized would be no guarantee of God's grace, since He has the "first option". The best our baptism could be is the demonstration of our openness to accepting His grace, should He decide to choose to give it to us. Comment?

1/9/2013 8:34:19 PM

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john

Mark ch 9 v 7; This is my beloved son, listen to him.... transfiguration

Does not God call each of us as he did to Adam after the fall? come looking for him in the garden... our hearts must be open to His Grace when He calls

1/10/2013 7:12:46 PM

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Joan O'Bryan

Father - If Faith is a gift why doesn't everyone get it?

1/10/2013 8:03:31 PM

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Kathy

RE:Fr. Paul Hoffman
With all humility, I need to pose a question back to you. Psalm 139, vs. 13 contains the words, "Truly you have formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother's womb." Is not David saying God chose him even before for birth?
God Speed!

1/11/2013 12:23:32 PM

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Jim Rowe

If God chooses us, we will always be at the right place at the right time. All of the sacraments come to us in God's order. Do we still lack amazement?

1/12/2013 6:41:24 AM

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Judith Brown

Can you comment about Baptists theology that born again is, when any time after the age of reason is reached, one accepts Christ as Savior, and it is then that the physical water baptism happens.

1/12/2013 6:55:45 AM

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G.A.Monnin

Father:

your Best ever!

Grace!

for the example of that for a premature infant affected by cocaine,
I can sense-have witnessed.
What tragedy!

As for comments -
why don't all 'get it'
Answer:
One must be in the receiving line, dear Friend!
1. go To Mass.

1/12/2013 9:33:01 AM

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Sr. Margarita Chan

One could deepen their Faith with your sharing of the word

1/12/2013 9:53:24 AM

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AvecLuiJeVis

I was moved by this homily, especially contemplating on what it means to be grafted to Him. Thank you for all you do.
"Few souls understand what God would accomplish in them if they were to abandon themselves unreservedly to Him and if they were to allow His grace to mold them accordingly." St. Ignatius Loyola

1/12/2013 10:37:41 PM

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Astolfo Moreno

Thank you very much. I'm a priest from Colombia, and right now I'm in Rome stduying. I just felt something new hearing this preaching. Thanks God for this hopeful message and this inspiring work for New Evangelisation. I'll pray for you.

1/13/2013 7:55:17 AM

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Lali

John's is a Baptism of Repentance. You repent first. It washed your sins.
When you are baptized now (in the New Testament) you do not have to repent ( you may be just born!) but though Grace you receive the Holy Spirit.
Thanks Father Barron!! I think I get it!

1/13/2013 11:13:08 AM

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Lali

If Faith is a gift why does not everybody get it?
Because you have hardened your heart and do not recognize/have interest or see anything that is not worldly. Pray, pray and pray.

1/13/2013 11:21:56 AM

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Jim McDerby

Can anyone tell me how to activate the play button on Kindle Fire HD?

1/13/2013 9:40:06 PM

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vito benigno

Peace be with you my Dear Father Barron and thank you for the brilliant homily!As a baby 46yrs ago i was first called to Conversion and Saved by the primacy of Grace through my Baptism.JESUS the LOGOS saves me right this very moment.JESUS the SON of the LIVING GOD through the primacy of Grace will save me in the end of time.With all of our failings the AWESOME LOVE between the FATHER and the SON JESUS saves us.St.Thomas Aquinas said that the entire consummation of the spiritual life is the EUACHARIST.PRAISE BE JESUS our LORD and SAVIOUR!MI IMMACULATA

1/14/2013 11:01:26 AM

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Chandra

Thank you, Fr. Barron! Beautiful, as always. I had the somewhat uncomfortable experience, though, of listening to this homily with some inmates I'm helping to prepare for Sacraments of Initiation... and of watching at least one catechumen cringe at the implication that the unbaptized are devoid of spiritual life.

Might it be fair to draw an analogy: as baptism is to birth, so a catechumen or a seeker is to a fetus? Yes, birth is (in an important sense) the beginning of our natural life, and Baptism (in an equally important sense)the beginning of our spiritual life, just as you and the Catechism say. And, yet, the very same Holy Mother Church whose priest and Catechism rightly teach this also vehemently defends the crucial reality that life begins at conception, not at birth!

The action of the Holy Spirit in the heart of one who is not baptized but is seeking God, it seems to me, is just as real and true and beautiful a sign of life as the quickening of a baby in utero. Isn't this also in line with the Church's teaching about "baptism of desire" and of God not being bound by the Sacraments?

If this is bad theology, I hope and trust someone will correct me (I am no theologian!), but I love the image of catechumens as being held in the womb of the Church, drawing nourishment and sustenance from the bloodstream of their mother. It's not that they are dead and don't need nourishment, as one could (I believe wrongly) interpret your homily as implying... but, rather, that they are alive in a tender and as yet utterly dependent way, with the divine life in them being carried and sustained by the sacramental life of others during their gestation.

Of course, like all analogies, this one "limps." Perhaps the gift of faith (spiritual conception) is given to all, but unlike with natural gestation, we (at least those of us who are adult converts to the faith) have to choose to make the short and often treacherous journey down the spiritual birth canal. (St. Augustine's famous comment hits the mark: God created us without us; but he did not will to save us without us.) Thanks be to God, though, that there is recourse to grace even before Baptism -- otherwise wouldn't conversion be impossible?

1/18/2013 10:04:59 AM

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Kathy

RE:CHANDRA
I am no theologian, however I was quite moved by your analogy of the fetus and the womb of the Church protecting the seeker, engaging the seeker to evolve. On this blog site I referred once before to Psalm 139. Your imagry may be there.
God Speed!

1/18/2013 3:59:15 PM

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