Graced, illumined and enlightened…

I have an unusual story with my oldest son, an ongoing miracle that texts me every day. I have told him more than once, “You are my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mk 1:11). The words that came from heaven at the baptism of Jesus are reminders of how lucky we are to have been sent a personal incarnate savior, and that by adoption, we are also children of God. It also shows God as having a well-loved child, a realization that was profound for me when I became a parent.

I see God as an artist and that all of our characteristics are thoughtfully and carefully chosen. It helps to think of all of us as equally and lovingly well-crafted. I try to look for what God sees in each of His children. Then whether I like them or not is less important.  “You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I praise you, because I am wonderfully made” (Ps 139:13-14).

So what does baptism look like to Him? He joins the celebration with the best gift of all. St. Augustine says “All who attain to this grace die thereby to sin…and they are thereby alive by being reborn in the baptismal font” (Johnson 127). A christening for some Christians, and a dedication for others, is the celebration of a child and a welcoming into the community of faith. I am sure He shares in the joy and thanksgiving of the child that has made it through the human process to be the center of this sacrament. I guess God is gratified, as all parents are, when an older son or daughter makes the choice to come in closer, and be baptized.

The word “’baptism:” sounds so plain versus being illuminated, as Justin Martyr calls it. “This washing is called illumination since those who learn these things are illumined within. The illuminand is also washed it the name of Jesus Christ” (Johnson 107-8).  Clement of Alexandria calls it enlightened, “ “When we are baptized, we are enlightened; being enlightened we are adopted sons[see Gal 4:5], becoming adopted sons we are made perfect, and becoming perfect we are made divine.” Somehow this seems to capture better the wonder that grace is. It is worth thinking about--that the gift we are given illuminates and enlightens us, and those around us.

I obviously am the perfect person for the word pictures in the Bible, and how sacraments are humanly 3-dimensional. I can always use the reminder that the gift of the faith I carry is so much more than the common place everyday things in my life. So illumined and enlightened, I will remove the snoring dog from sleeping on my foot, put a load of wash in and go make dinner….

 

 Cooke, Bernard J., and Gary Macy. Christian Symbol and Ritual: an Introduction. Oxford: New York.

                2005. Print.

 Note: I still use my Catholic school training to capitalize pronouns referring to God. I  find it useful in

                faith based writing because so many biblical and historical references are to men.           J.M.J

Photo from Immaculate Conception Jesuit Church

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