"What Are You Wearing?" Mass- Nov 2, 2008

This week is the feast of all souls. And so the theme of the readings revolves around life, death, and baptism. The first reading speaks of how the "just are in the hands of God", which means that we can rest easy knowing that we belong to God and our hope is in God. The 2nd reading speaks of baptism, which is the means by which we are put into the hands of God in the first place. Finally, the gospel tell us that God will give this gift of salvation to anyone who comes to him, because this is why Jesus came to Earth in the first place- to save everyone who comes to him.

In order to keep the commentary reasonably short, the commentary will focus on baptism. You will read here about how we are all wearing "Christ", something that no clothing maker can promise. Commentary follows the 2nd reading. The rest of the readings and the responsorial psalm are after the commentary.


Rom 6:3-9

Brothers and sisters:
Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus
were baptized into his death?
We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death,
so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead
by the glory of the Father,
we too might live in newness of life.

For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his,
we shall also be united with him in the resurrection.
We know that our old self was crucified with him,
so that our sinful body might be done away with,
that we might no longer be in slavery to sin.
For a dead person has been absolved from sin.
If, then, we have died with Christ,
we believe that we shall also live with him.
We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more;
death no longer has power over him.

What is Baptism?

"Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments."5 I always thought that baptism was this cool little party where everyone gets together and the priest pours water on a baby and everyone claps, followed by some congratulations and photos. But baptism is not some meaningless ceremony. It is the foundational, and most important event of our spiritual lives. Our baptismal day is the day when we become God's children.

Paul speaks of "dying and rising" in this reading and of "growing in union" with Jesus through baptism. But what is he talking about? How is that we are baptized into Jesus' death? First of all, let's recall that Baptism is our entrance into the Church. Baptism joins us to Jesus. God saves our souls at baptism and forgives all of our sins.

Yet, without the death of Jesus, there would be no Church to enter. Without Jesus' crucifixion, we cannot experience eternal life, nor can we be joined to Jesus . In other words, Jesus' suffering and death "opened to all men the fountain of baptism".1 Our baptism is rooted in Jesus' suffering and death for us. This is what Paul means by being "baptized into his death". Jesus' death allows us to have baptism. Only through his death are we able to be saved.

Effects of Baptism

In baptism, we are forgiven ALL of our sins. We are baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. We are given grace from God the Father, we are given grace through the merits of Jesus' suffering and death, and we are given grace as the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us at baptism. Truly, we become temples of the Holy Spirit2 because the Trinity comes to dwell within us.

In baptism, "the two principal effects are purification from sins and new birth in the Holy Spirit."6 Paul says in this reading that in baptism, we die with Christ and are raised with Christ. This means that in baptism, we are forgiven all of our sins and we die to sin. If Jesus is so good to die on the cross for us, then we join in that death and we say "no" to sin once and forever. This is why at Easter Vigil we remind ourselves of our baptismal promises ("do you reject Satan, sin," etc) and say "no" to sin again and again. We rise with Christ in the sense that if we say no to sin, our lives are different and we are "raised" new persons.

In this reading, Paul talks about living "in newness of life". Here, he is describing this "new birth in the Holy Spirit." A few of the major effects of baptism are:

* forgiveness of sins
* we become new creatures- The Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us. The Holy Spirit helps us to operate under his inspiration, through the gifts of the Holy Spirit.3
* the Holy Spirit enables us to believe in God, hope in God, and to love God.4
* there are other effects as well.


Since we are forgiven our sins, made anew with the presence and help of the holy spirit, and have confidence in Jesus, we will certainly have what it takes to live "in newness of life" as described in this reading. Yet, despite what God has given us, he also gives us the freedom to oppose, refuse, resent, and even renounce what he has given us. So, baptism is a great gift, but we must take good care of what God has given us. Every day, we must declare to God that we are not "slaves of sin".

Seeing God's Grace

So, back to the baptisms we see in church. Because we are measey little humans, we cannot truly see the fullness of God's grace, but we do get a beautiful sneak peak. God wants us to know what he has done for us so we see the following at baptisms:

* The sign of the cross- the baptized person now belongs to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
* The baptismal water- Water springing forth from the ground symbolizes life. We are given life, and that life comes from God.
* Holy Oil-makes known the grace that the person has received from the Holy Spirit
* White garment- symbolizes that the person has "put on Christ" and has been washed clean by the blood of Christ


We must remember that there are spiritual realities that we can only get a glimpse of. For instance, the blood and water that flowed from Jesus are forms of baptism. It is a sign of the spiritual reality of Jesus' sacrifice and the outpouring of grace upon all of mankind. Just the same, we are able to see these things at baptisms, as signs of a spiritual reality that is deep, real, and incredibly beautiful. The next time we attend a baptism, we must remember what God is doing for the baptized and what he has already done for us.

The Eyes of God

So we have an idea of how God sees us. He sees us marked with a sign that we belong to him. He sees us full of life which came from him. He sees us anointed with his grace. He sees us pure and beautiful-wearing the white robe of baptism (which HE bought us : )). THe next time we look at a person lustfully, let's try to see them wearing the beautiful white robe of baptism. The next time we get angry at someone in traffic, let's notice that holy oil upon their heads. We live in a country where almost everyone is baptized. And so, when I am in danger of looking at a woman lustfully, do I really want to stain the white garment that God has clothed her with? When I am angry with someone, do I really want to hurt someone who is anointed with holy oil and full of the Holy Spirit?

What about when I sin in general? Do I want to stain the white garment which God has given me? No I do not. I belong to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I must respect myself. I must not let anything enter my eyes, ears, or mouth which is incompatible with the Holy Spirit which dwells within me.

The first reading says: "The souls of the just are in the hand of God". "they are in peace." ...."because grace and mercy are with his holy ones"

God loves us so much that he has given EVERYTHING to us. Because of his death, we are offered baptism, and we are beautiful baptized children of God. Because of God, we wear white robes and we belong to him forever. The good news gets even better in this week's Gospel. In it, Jesus says "I will not reject anyone who comes to me". God loves us!


1-CCC 1225
2-1 Corinthians 12:13
3-CCC 1266
4-CCC 1266
5-CCC 1213
6-Acts 2:38


Reading 1
Wis 3:1-9

The souls of the just are in the hand of God,
and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction.
But they are in peace.
For if before men, indeed, they be punished,
yet is their hope full of immortality;
chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them,
and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
In the time of their visitation they shall shine,
and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;
they shall judge nations and rule over peoples,
and the LORD shall be their King forever.
Those who trust in him shall understand truth,
and the faithful shall abide with him in love:
because grace and mercy are with his holy ones,
and his care is with his elect.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R. Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R. Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
with your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R. Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R. Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R. Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me.

Gospel
Jn 6:37-40

Jesus said to the crowds:
“Everything that the Father gives me will come to me,
and I will not reject anyone who comes to me,
because I came down from heaven not to do my own will
but the will of the one who sent me.
And this is the will of the one who sent me,
that I should not lose anything of what he gave me,
but that I should raise it on the last day.
For this is the will of my Father,
that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him
may have eternal life,
and I shall raise him on the last day.”