In all three of the accounts of Jesus’ Baptism, the Spirit descends upon Him in the form of a dove, followed by the voice from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
But in Luke’s Gospel, he adds the words of John the Baptist:
“I am baptizing you with water. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and Fire.”
So, our baptism is of the Holy Spirit and fire. A fire that purifies and leaves a permanent mark on the soul that says we are children of God. A fire that purges and destroys sin. A fire of love for God and others. A fire that burns with a desire for a life of faith and a personal relationship with Jesus.
That’s what happened at our Baptism. As the saying goes, “We were all fired up.” Although today’s feast of the Baptism of Jesus focuses on the Holy Spirit coming upon Jesus, it is also a time for us to give thanks, celebrate, and reflect, on our own Baptisms.
Our baptism was not simply something that “made” us Christians. It was not just a ceremony that was followed by a family celebration. Baptism was not just a requirement for reception of the rest of the Sacraments. It was all of those and much more.
Baptism is a life changing event. We were not the same when we left the Church as when we came in. The day of our Baptism was the most important day of our lives. It was the beginning of a life long journey. It was the beginning of our own unique relationship with Jesus. And whether we remember it or not, we were truly on fire with the Holy Spirit.
It has been on my mind ever since Francis was elected Pope and has captured the imagination, curiosity, and adulation of so many. Almost daily I hear stories of people, either non-Catholic or Catholic who have been away from the Church, who are captivated by his words. Some have returned and I believe that what we are seeing and hearing will continue.
And for myself, I have spent some time recently thinking and praying about the intensity of that fire that is within me. Does it need some rekindling? Could it be hotter? How do I keep it from dying out? How do I reclaim the fire I once had at Baptism? With Pope Francis laying the ground work, sowing the seed, where do we, the baptized come in?
In a word, we are called by that baptism to Evangelize.
Evangelization meaning very simply living out the Catholic faith in our daily lives in a way that people want to join us. Being real examples of what it is to be a Catholic day in and day out. Evangelization is not a program. It is a way of life. It is a way of life in which Christians help to bring others to Jesus. Not just necessarily by preaching and teaching, but by being real live examples of Christian love and hospitality. Lives that are enflamed with the fire of the Holy Spirit like they were at the time of our Baptism.
So as we go forward in great hope of many converts and Catholics coming home, we all need to evangelize in our own way, in our own place, and in our own time. And I would add we need to pray. Pray not only for those who are thinking about returning, but pray also for ourselves. Pray that the Holy Spirit relight, rekindle, or put another log on that fire that we all have from our Baptism, so that all may see in us a fire burning brightly with love of God. A fire that is warm. Warm with love for others. A fire that is inviting.
And a fire that is red hot with zeal for a life of faith in the Catholic Church.
Much of the seed that Pope Francis is sowing will be all for naught, unless, we open the door and welcome them into our home with open arms and show them the fire of excitement and joy we have living a Christian life.
So as we come to be strengthened in faith by this Eucharist we are about to receive, let us pray
“Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.”
Deacon Larry McDonald