Baptism
Why Was Jesus Baptized?
Matthew 3:13-17 describes the baptism of Jesus, including John the Baptist’s objection that Jesus should be baptizing him. Why did Jesus want to be baptized, anyway?
A. This question was raised by Christians already in the first century, which is probably the reason that it is recorded here—unlike the baptism accounts in Mark 1:9-11 and Luke 3:21-22. John the Baptist had disciples and a very well-known ministry before Jesus had disciples or a public ministry.
The Divine Child
This month during a baptism in my parish, a toddler called out loudly, “I see the baby’s face!”, and we erupted into laughter. What image of the Christ Child comes to mind as the perfect face of a baby?
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Anointing the Sick and Baptism
The catechumens in my RCIA group asked me these questions: Can permanent deacons administer the Sacrament of the Sick? Can a non-baptized person receive the Sacrament of the Sick? Can a baptized person who is not a Catholic receive the Sacrament ...
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The Water of God’s Love
Water is a part of who we are as humans, making up roughly 60 percent of our bodies. It’s also part of who we are as Christians, as by it, we are baptized into our new lives.
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Water Is Life
Reflect According to God’s beautiful designs, living creatures require water, and we are among the many millions of species who depend on the refreshment, nourishment, and cleansing power of water. Birth, Baptism, hydration, cooking: How many ways has water transformed ...
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Christianity at Its Best—and Worst
They say you’ll never meet an atheist in a foxhole. But what about in a swimming pool?
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Understanding the Sacrament of Baptism
Having a baby baptized is both an act of faith and a cultural affair. It is both a statement of trust in the goodness of God as well as a family event that can be faith-filled. Baptism is the beginning ...
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