Christian Beginning . . .
Do you feel you have enough knowledge to be well versed in your faith? The Catholic Church, instituted by Christ over 2,000 years ago, has so much history and information to discern. Today, people of the Christian faith are confronted with issues of change, both locally and universally. There is so much about the teachings of Catholic Church that people cannot clarify with confidence. The lack of understanding is not just with the unchurched or people interested in joining the Church, it is in the faithful who are sitting in the pews every Sunday. I fall into that later category, so I am not getting on my high horse.
I was educated in Catholic school for 12 years, and I am still learning. I volunteered for 17 years at Wabash Valley Correctional Facility to help minister to those interested in the teachings of the Church. Our program was called “Catholic Studies,” and during those years my understanding and knowledge of the faith increased exponentially. As a facilitator, I had to share correct information, and there were some difficult questions. There is a plethora of information about the history and teachings of the Church. Catechesis material is available to people of all ages, because Christian education is an ongoing process for everyone. The “Catechism of the Catholic Church” is a great resource, and the “New American Bible” will help you find the source for every sacrament instituted by Christ, as well as the stories of our Church beginnings.
It takes years of education to prepare for our careers, and hard work to hone our skills for physical training or athletics. The fundamentals in life are essential to the success of everything we do. Why does the spiritual aspect of our lives seem to get the least amount of our energy each day?
One question often asked is why do Catholics baptize infants. From a Fundamentalist point of view, baptism is administered to those who have undergone a “born again” experience, whereby the adult or older child becomes a Christian, and his salvation is assured by accepting Jesus as their Savior. Since the time of the New Testament, the Catholic Church has taught that baptism is a sacrament, which by grace, accomplishes the remission of both original sin and actual sin— in the case of infants, only original sin, because they are incapable of actual sin.
Peter tells us in the Acts of the Apostles "For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him" (2:39). In Luke’s account we read, "Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God’" (Luke 18:15–16).
Keep in mind that during this era, there were not very many “cradle Christians”. Children raised in the first Christian homes have already been “baptized into Christ”. (Rom. 6:3) There is no record in the Bible, which states a “decision” was made for Christ, but whole households were being baptized into Christ. Augustine wrote in A. D. 408: "The custom of Mother Church in baptizing infants is certainly not to be scorned . . . nor is it to be believed that its tradition is anything except apostolic" (Literal Interpretation of Genesis 10:23:39).
I am amazed at what I am able to teach our two-year-old grandson about the Mass, our faith and simple prayers. Children retain whatever you teach them. What an incredible responsibility to be a parent! It is a gift to know that when your children observe your own personal relationship with Jesus, you are giving them a lifetime treasure of faith and trust in God. When you begin life with the sacraments of Christian initiation — Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist, by the grace of Christ, you are participating in an ongoing foundation for Christian life. Humbly share your faith with the power God gives you. Bring your children to Him, and be thankful for the priests in our Church, who help us accomplish that great privilege. Amen!
