“In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit!” Baptismal waters poured over our baby’s head as his cries came to a resounding halt. The chrism oil blossomed a sweet fragrance from his forehead as Father Doty anointed him. Our new son was baptized in March, or, as our two-year-old would say, he joined “Team Jesus.”

Being able to witness the sacrament of baptism during the season of Lent has had a profound impact on my faith and understanding of the gift God grants to us through our baptism. While many of us are baptized as infants, it puts a great responsibility on parents and godparents to be living examples of our faith, but we can also look to the saints and apostles as beautiful witnesses. With Christ’s resurrection around the corner, I am reminded by Saint Paul:

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (Rom 6: 3-4)

Through our baptism, we enter into communion with Christ’s death, are buried with him, and then rise with him. The gift of faith through baptism, the newness of life we receive, is one of the greatest gifts we can ever accept. On Good Friday, when we gaze at our crucified Lord on the cross, see that the blood and water that flowed from his pierced side are types of Baptism and the Eucharist – our sacraments of new life (CCC 1225).

As the season of Lent comes to an end and Holy Week begins, we are called to renew our baptismal vows. This year, let’s make our vow from our heart, not only believing the words we say, but calling to action our gifts of faith. Let’s become active players on “Team Jesus” so that we can carry out the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven.