Baptism - an introduction to the Christian community

'Thinking Anew' column in today's Irish Times

Michael Commane
Tomorrow is the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Jesus being baptised. It sounds a strange one. Why should Jesus  need to be baptised?   

Baptism in Ireland has become something of a political/social football. It's a subject for the commentariat to opine about. It evokes comments from bishops and the usual “talking heads” are discussing it with great passion.

Of course I am referring to how baptism is being linked to education. A child baptised in the Christian faith is on the inside track when it comes to obtaining a place in a local national school

Is this what baptism has become?

I have often stood at the back of a church before a baptism, observed those attending the sacrament and wondered what exactly was it all about. But then I also think of an older dispensation when children were baptised immediately after birth. 

The reason behind such a practice was that if the child died without baptism then it well might happen that their soul would not go straight to heaven.

Were those times, was that style of 'theology' any less absurd than what is being practised at present? For an answer maybe one should toss a coin.

A week ago I was at a funeral Mass in Tralee of a former newspaper colleague. 

The parish priest celebrated the Mass and everything about the sacrament on that day had an air of faith, a sense of the Divine about it. The Mass was – of course – in English and was said according to post Vatican II liturgy.

For the sacraments to convey a glimpse of what they signify and what they bring about, all that is required is a genuine Christian faith shared by those who are present. It was as clear that day  in Tralee  that the priest was a man of faith, a man of kindness too.

The seven sacraments might well be called the mission statement of the church. That will not stop latterdaypharisees and scribes who will give you chapter and verse on how they are to be celebrated and explain who is and who is not “worthy” to receive them.

At the baptism of Jesus, John explains he is not worthy to untie his sandal, and yet Jesus presents himself for baptism.

Baptism is above all, the sacrament that makes us members of the Christian community. You might say if gives us the fob to open the gate and allow us join with others in 'sharing' a common belief.

As to who should get baptised? Children are baptised in the name of their parents, more or less in the same way nationality is bestowed on someone at birth. Maybe the sacrament, all the sacraments, need to be divested of all the tricks of power and control that surround them.

If people come to church requiring baptism and give the impression that they know nothing whatsoever about the sacrament, whose fault is that? Why does that happen? 

Might it be that there is something dysfunctional right at the heart of the Christian community? Might it be that the men in 'blazers' have created a 'system' that is simply no longer fit for purpose?

Tomorrow's feast is at the heart of what it means to be a member of the Christian communion. If we are having problems with it and its administration, maybe it's time we sat down and had an open and honest conversation about what it means to be a Christian in the society in which we live.

Maybe much of the talk about this first sacrament is about power and control and nothing at all to do with Christian values. Baptism is all about becoming a member of the Christian community. Once baptised we become a participant in the life of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.