Baptism
- CCC 1214 This sacrament is called Baptism, after the central rite by which it is carried out: to baptize (Greek baptizein) means to "plunge" or "immerse"; the "plunge" into the water symbolizes the catechumen's burial into Christ's death, from which he rises up by resurrection with him, as "a new creature."
- Symbolizes death and purification as well as regeneration and renewal.
- Also called the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit → signifies and actually brings about the birth of water and the Spirit.
- It also brings enlightenment to the one who receives the sacrament, enabling them to understand the meaning of the faith deeper. (purpose of mystagogy)
Prefigured in the Old Testament
- Genesis 1, Noah’s Ark, Exodus
- Symbolism of Water
Christ’s Baptism – Why did Jesus get baptized?
- CCC 1224 Our Lord voluntarily submitted himself to the baptism of St. John, intended for sinners, in order to "fulfill all righteousness."19 Jesus' gesture is a manifestation of his self-emptying.20 The Spirit who had hovered over the waters of the first creation descended then on the Christ as a prelude of the new creation, and the Father revealed Jesus as his "beloved Son."
- All pre-figurations find fulfillment in Jesus → baptized at the outset of his public ministry then gives the command to his apostles to baptize
- In his Passover Christ opened to all men the fountain of Baptism. He had already spoken of his Passion, which he was about to suffer in Jerusalem, as a "Baptism" with which he had to be baptized
Components of the sacrament
- Ordinary Minister: a priest/bishop. Anyone in case of necessity with the intention to will to do what the Church does when she baptizes (add new members to Christ’s body)
- Signs/Parts: sign of the cross, reading of Scripture (gives meaning), exorcisms/renouncing Satan, confessing faith in the Church, water is blessed.
- Form: I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (Mt 28)
- Matter: Water
- CCC 1239 The essential rite of the sacrament follows: Baptism properly speaking. It signifies and actually brings about death to sin and entry into the life of the Most Holy Trinity through configuration to the Paschal mystery of Christ. Baptism is performed in the most expressive way by triple immersion in the baptismal water. However, from ancient times it has also been able to be conferred by pouring the water three times over the candidate's head.
- Effects: Removes original sin and personal sin, confers sanctifying grace, virtues of faith/hope/love,
- Makes one an adopted child of the Father, incorporates one into the body of Christ, and regenerates one in the Holy Spirit.
- Creates a sacramental bond, marks the soul with an indelible mark
- It signifies and actually brings about death to sin and entry into the life of the Most Holy Trinity through configuration to the Paschal mystery of Christ..
- Types of Baptism: Baptism is necessary for salvation, by Water, Blood, Desire
- Scripture: Romans 6
Confirmation
- In the Old Testament the prophets announced that the Spirit of the Lord would rest on the hoped-for Messiah for his saving mission → The descent of the Holy Spirit on Jesus at his baptism by John was the sign that this was he who was to come, the Messiah, the Son of God.
- CCC 1287 This fullness of the Spirit was not to remain uniquely the Messiah's, but was to be communicated to the whole messianic people. On several occasions Christ promised this outpouring of the Spirit, a promise which he fulfilled first on Easter Sunday and then more strikingly at Pentecost. Filled with the Holy Spirit the apostles began to proclaim "the mighty works of God," and Peter declared this outpouring of the Spirit to be the sign of the messianic age. Those who believed in the apostolic preaching and were baptized received the gift of the Holy Spirit in their turn.
- Acts 2:1-4
- “Christian” means anointed. It confirms and strengthens baptismal grace (Heb 6:2)
Symbolism of the Rite
- CCC 1293 In treating the rite of Confirmation, it is fitting to consider the sign of anointing and what it signifies and imprints: a spiritual seal.
- Anointing, in Biblical and other ancient symbolism, is rich in meaning: oil is a sign of abundance and joy; it cleanses (anointing before and after a bath) and limbers (the anointing of athletes and wrestlers); oil is a sign of healing, since it is soothing to bruises and wounds; and it makes radiant with beauty, health, and strength.
- CCC 1294 Anointing with oil has all these meanings in the sacramental life. The pre-baptismal anointing with the oil of catechumens signifies cleansing and strengthening; the anointing of the sick expresses healing and comfort. The post-baptismal anointing with sacred chrism in Confirmation and ordination is the sign of consecration. By Confirmation Christians, that is, those who are anointed, share more completely in the mission of Jesus Christ and the fullness of the Holy Spirit with which he is filled, so that their lives may give off "the aroma of Christ."
Scripture: Acts 8:14-17, Acts 19:1-7, Ephesians 4:25-30
Components of the sacrament
- Minister: The bishop, permission can also be given to priests (or in danger of death)
- Form → “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
- Matter → Chrism oil, laying on of hands
- Anointing with oil → messiah/king
- Laying on of hands → confer a blessing, initiate a king into his kingly office.
- Effects:
- Roots us more deeply in union with Christ
- Brings about the maturity of grace.
- The gifts of the Holy Spirit (Wisdom, Counsel, Fear of the Lord, Piety, Courage, Knowledge, Understanding)
- Indelible mark on the soul → sealed with the Holy Spirit
- Confirmation is a sacramental way of making visible the messianic, eschatological quality of the gift of the Spirit in the NT.
- The Spirit has been given, the end times are here (existentially speaking, not temporally).
- The strength to courageously confess Christ as the apostles did at Pentecost.