Feast of the Lord's Baptism

January 10, 2010

Is 42, 1-4.6-7
Ac 10, 34-38
Lk 3, 15-16.21-22

This is my first year in Rome. One of the first activities I have done so far is to administer the sacrament of baptism to a Filipino child who was born here. The parents and the community got so caught up with inviting would-be godfathers and godmothers, and preparing the place for the reception that they forgot to inform the Italian parish priest. They did it only the day before the baptism itself to the surprise of the of the said parish priest. He immediately registered the name of the child to be baptized. Here in Rome, the baptism of a child is a rare occasion where Filipinos can gather in big numbers and celebrate. Usually the food is no different than what they use to eat in the Philippines like rice and meat or fish or even litson (roasted pig). The parents will spend their hard-earned money for this occasion. Today’s gospel reminds parents about Jesus’ baptism. It was rather very simple yet very dignified. This is one thing that parents must learn. Recognize the real meaning of the sacrament which is that God is so pleased with their child and accepts the child as his own. As Luke’s gospel beautifully puts it, “You are my beloved Son.”
Above all, the parents must realize that the child is called by God to be his witness in a land where people are slowly going away from the Church. This needs to be emphasized rather than getting totally distracted with the preparations. God’s dignity is shared with the child being baptized and the parents must nurture and explain this properly to the child as he grows up. Instead of spending a lot during the baptism, why not save money for the future. Christian education of the child. Don’t you know that there is also RICE in baptism? R means rebirth, I for initiation, C stands for conversion and E for empowerment. All these happen in the sacrament of baptism.

Fr. Yoyo Rebucias, SVD
Rome
(The Word in other Words)