The Sacraments of Christian Initiation
The Sacrament of Baptism
1213 Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), (cf. Council Of Florence: DS 1314: Vitae cf. Spiritualis Ianua) and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word. (Roman Catechism II, 2,5; cf. Council of Florence: DS 1314; Code of Canon Law, Canons 204 § 1; 849; Corpus Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, Canon 675 § 1)
I. What is this sacrament called?
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, a new creature. (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15; cf. Romans 6:20-23; Colossians 2:12)
1215 This sacrament is also called the washing of regeneration
and renewal by the Holy Spirit, for it signifies and actually
brings about the birth of water and the Spirit without which no one can
enter the kingdom of God. (Titus 3:5; John 3:5)
1216 "This bath is called enlightenment, because those who receive
this [catechetical] instruction are enlightened in their understanding
. . . . (St. Justin, Apol. 1,61,12:PG 6,421) "Having received in Baptism the Word, the true light
that enlightens every man, the person baptized has been enlightened, he
becomes a son of light, indeed, he becomes light himself: (John 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:5; Hebrews 10:32; Ephesians 5:8)
Baptism is God's most beautiful and magnificent gift. . . .We call
it gift, grace, anointing, enlightenment, garment of immortality, bath
of rebirth, seal, and most precious gift. It is called gift because
it is conferred on those who bring nothing of their own; grace since
it is given even to the guilty; Baptism because sin is buried in the
water; anointing for it is priestly and royal as are those who are
anointed; enlightenment because it radiates light; clothing since it
veils our shame; bath because it washes; and seal as it is our guard
and the sign of God's Lordship.
St. Gregory Of Nazianzus, Oratio 40,3-4:PG 36,361C
|
