Should I tell them that it was my first time or not? When to do it? It would be a great opener, and everything seems more special. But they might get nervous. I could tell them at the end, but by that time it wouldn’t mean much. Here I was about to perform my first baptism, both nervous and excited. We, men, like to achieve things, to do things for others. We like to be able to accomplish things that support and sustain others – earn a living, raise children, be the best.
As priests, we take that to another level by supporting people on a spiritual level, achieving things for Christ, and being holier.
Now as a deacon, I was about to administer my first sacrament. We can only preside baptisms and marriages until we become priests. I’ve helped at numerous Masses, distributed communion, given the homily, and even helped at my sister’s wedding, but this was different!
As I got things ready, I couldn’t help but think, “Nicholas is coming into the Church, becoming a child of God, through my hands.” Christ could have done it a million better ways or with better people, but for some reason he chose me.
The font was ready with new water. I had a little shell to pour the water over his head. The oil of catechumens and chrism was on the table. The Easter candle flickered, and the baptismal candle lay nearby with the white garment.
I sat down briefly to prepare a few words before people started arriving. After I greeted them, we started to go through the rite: the introduction, welcoming, blessing of the water, promises, anointing, and so on. Thanks be to God, I managed to hide my nervousness and prepare them even though I knew very little more than they did.
Now as a deacon, I was about to administer my first sacrament. We can only preside baptisms and marriages until we become priests. I’ve helped at numerous Masses, distributed communion, given the homily, and even helped at my sister’s wedding, but this was different!
As I got things ready, I couldn’t help but think, “Nicholas is coming into the Church, becoming a child of God, through my hands.” Christ could have done it a million better ways or with better people, but for some reason he chose me.
The font was ready with new water. I had a little shell to pour the water over his head. The oil of catechumens and chrism was on the table. The Easter candle flickered, and the baptismal candle lay nearby with the white garment.
I sat down briefly to prepare a few words before people started arriving. After I greeted them, we started to go through the rite: the introduction, welcoming, blessing of the water, promises, anointing, and so on. Thanks be to God, I managed to hide my nervousness and prepare them even though I knew very little more than they did.
“Nicholas, I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” It was happening. The ceremony had gone so quickly, and now we were at the highpoint. The words and gestures were so simple, but in this little soul, a profound transformation took place. He became a child of God, a Christian.
…Afterwards as I gathered the things together from the ceremony, I tried to absorb what had just happened. It was my first baptism ever. Nicholas was the first one for whom, through my poor words and actions, the gates of heaven were opened. He was the firstborn in the faith.
“Can we take a picture of you and Nicholas?” his mother asked. I readily accepted and just as the flashes went off, he quietly bowed his head as if recognizing his new closeness with God. What a moment of grace! How many more will there be, by God’s grace, throughout my ministry as a Catholic priest?
Please comment with your thoughts on baptism, the priesthood, or any other topic you would like to discuss.
Mark,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this and keeping me "in the loop" so to speak. I absolutely loved the picture and your retelling of the day. I will continue to pray for you, in particular as you take it to the spiritual level, the most important area of all our lives.
Pax vabiscum