6/JESUS
6/2 The Sacrament of Baptism
THE BAPTISM OF JESUS. At the
beginning of his mission work, Jesus went to John the Baptist who was baptising
people in the Jordan River and requested his baptism. At first John refused to
baptise him until Jesus told him that this was God's plan. At his baptism,
Jesus saw the Spirit of God descending on him like a dove and a voice from
heaven saying "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
It was not necessary for Jesus to be baptised as he was sinless but did it to
carry out God's will.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BAPTISM. A devout
Jewish leader named Nicodemus went to see Jesus one night stating that Jesus
had come from
God. He was puzzled when Jesus told
him that one must be reborn in order to belong to the kingdom of God. Jesus
explained this by saying that one must be born of water and the Spirit; that is
to be baptised so as to belong to the kingdom of God. For this reason from the
very beginning of the Church to the present day, a belief in Jesus and baptism
are required for one to become a Catholic.
THE RITE OF BAPTISM. There are four
steps in the rite of baptism. There is the poring of water on the forehead as
the priest or deacon says "I baptise you In the name of the Father, Son
and Holy Spirit." Then there is the use of holy oil to make a cross on the
forehead. This is followed by the use of a white cloth put over the shoulder of
the baptised, and finally a lighted candle is given to the one being baptised.
Infants receive only baptism while adults are also confirmed and receive Holy Communion
at their baptism.
