Baptism in the Roman Catholic tradition is a signal that an individual becomes a member of the Church. Jesus said, "Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
For Catholics, the sacrament is not a mere formality; it is the very mark of a Christian, because it brings us into new life in Christ. Baptism is thus, a rebirth.
In today's world, rebirth is an abused word. It is used in promoting beauty and health products, in re-inventing oneselves, in proclaiming new discoveries, in labeling art, music and other activities, products, and concepts that are meant to attract sales and followers.
Sometimes, cosmetic products or cosmetic surgeries proclaim a "rebirth," a new you. Drugs flaunt "new youth, new vigour."
But there are genuine "rebirths." For instance, Born again is a dynamic Christian movement, being born anew into the Christian belief. Likewise there are episodes in people's lives that connote a transformation into a newness, a better state of being.
Likewise, there are individuals who choose a new life - a road paved in darkness. There are parents who neglect or abort their children; there are daughters and sons who turn their backs on their elders; there are those who commit crimes, petty or major ones.
Being "reborn" in the path of lightness, is a gift from God. Because no matter how a human being struggle to attain or pay for medical interventions for physical, psychological, spiritual or economic healing, it is always the Creator who steers the wheel onto a straight road. Yes, we who seek a "new life" must pedal the gas to jump start the process, but as always, we must depend on the Higher Authority to map and clear the route.
No comments:
Post a Comment