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My Daughter's Baptism

This past Sunday I had the great joy of baptizing my daughter into the Church. 

As a priest, one of my favorite things to do is baptize people.  It is wonderful no matter what -- whether they are sweet babies wearing their long gowns, or nervous children who aren't entirely comfortable in front of the crowd, or adults who are really stepping out on a limb and making a life change.  I love the hopeful parents and the support of their friends and family.  I love the prayers we say just for that person, thinking about their future with God.  I love hearing the water splashing during the prayers over the water.  The reminder of all the ways water has played an important role in our history as people of God, from creation to the escape from Egypt to Jesus' baptism and now to this baptism right here and now.  But my very favorite part is the line that goes with the anointing with oil - "You are sealed with the Holy Spirit and marked as Christ's own forever." 

And this past Sunday, my daughter Maya was at the center of all that, wearing her beautiful long gown that her Poppop and Grammy found for her.  My husband and I were the hopeful parents, surrounded by our supportive family and friends.  It was Maya's future with God that we were praying for.  It was her soft little forehead that got splashed with water.  And it was her forehead smeared with a cross of oil.  I got to say those words that I love so much, participating in marking my beloved third child as Christ's own forever.  It doesn't get any better than this!

Comments

  1. John MaassApril 21, 2011 at 7:01 AM

    Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
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