BAPTISM OF THE LORD C
DON’T FORGET THE GODPARENTS!
Luke 3:15-16, 21-22
MESSAGE
The Baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ gives us rich opportunities to explore the meaning of our own Baptism, the significance of the sacrament that ushered us into Christian life. However, for most people who are not adult converts, Baptism is a faint memory, largely from photographs of the event. Most Catholics around the world have been baptized as infants. Thus, the priest always admonishes the parents to keep the flame of faith alive in their children’s lives as they grow up.
But there is another participant in the baptismal ritual that we must not forget – the godparents. In the Philippines, the godparents perform not only a religious role but also a cultural and familial one. In baptisms, I remind godparents that they have three important tasks: first, to be present in the church for the sacrament, in order to be part of the photo shoot; second to be present in the reception, since the food is free and overflowing; and third, to be absent, to hide around Christmas time when their godchildren knock on their doors for gifts! Joking aside, godparents are not just an appendage in the celebration. As Christians they become part of the children’s lives as followers of Christ.
Godparents are like John the Baptist in today’s Gospel. They too, must point their godchildren to Jesus, the One who brings “Spirit and fire.” Their lives must reflect the struggle to become faithful Catholics in spite of their weaknesses and foibles. And like God the Father, who spoke at Jesus’ own baptism, godparents must remind their godchildren that they “beloved sons and daughters of God” and that he loves them intensely. Perhaps the gifts they give to their godchildren at Christmastime is only a pale reflection of how God gives their godchildren the gift of himself within the family of the church.
REFLECT
If you have been a godparent, today spend some time praying for your godchild/ children. Ask the Lord to bless them and make them increase in faith, hope and love. For all of us, let us pray too, for our godparents, living or departed, and thank the Lord that once in their lives they took the responsibility to assist our parents in the task of making us good Christians.
