How long to be a Children of God

Introduction: My Experience in Argentina

When I was in Argentina, I was doing apostolate in the neonatal (nēōˈnādl) area, specifically baptizing babies in danger of death. Our main task was to explain to the nurses and doctors that, while saving a life is critical, it is more important to save the soul.

There is only one thing to do…

One day, a baby arrived in the hospital, nearly dead, having been stabbed by his mother. The doctor saw the baby’s injuries, and tears filled his eyes. Holding the baby, he said, "There is only one thing we can do for this child." He took some water and, in a strong voice, said, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

The Importance of Baptism

That doctor understood the importance of baptism for salvation., that is more important than the life. Today, we celebrate the institution of this sacrament by Jesus.

Understanding Baptism

1. What is the propose of baptism

Baptism is performed for the forgiveness of sins: original sin, and personal sin if one is an adult.

Original sin is not a sin we commit, but one we inherit; it is the stain we are born with, dispossessing us of our citizenship in Heaven.

2. Why Was Jesus Baptized?

You may ask: If baptism is for the forgiveness of sins, why was Jesus baptized?

He, who had no sin, did it for us. He gave us an example and sanctified the waters of baptism.

Baptizing Children

3. If Jesus was baptized as an adult, why do we baptize infants?

Jesus when Jesus was baptized, he was already the Son of God and was with not sin. But we are encouraged to be baptized as soon as possible because we were no children of God.

How long do you want to wait to become a child of God?

How long you want to wait to free from the slavery of Satan?

We pass from the power of satan to the freedom of child of God how long you want to wait?

When your child is sick you say let wait until he is adult and if he wants he will take the medicine.

4. The the baptism is the new circumcision

In the Old Testament, boys were circumcised on the eighth day as a permanent mark on their bodies.

In the New Testament, children are baptized as soon as possible, and this sacrament leaves a permanent mark on their souls, establishing them as part of the New Covenant.

The Meaning of Jesus’ Baptism

5. Jesus Takes on Our Sins When Jesus was baptized, He, in a way, took on our sins. His baptism was not for His own purification, but to bear our sins and make atonement for them.

6. The Heavens Opened When Jesus was baptized, the heavens were opened again—those heavens that had been closed to us because of our sins. Through His baptism, the gates of Heaven were once again accessible to all.

The Voice from Heaven

7. You are my son. As Jesus received His baptism, a voice came from Heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son." When you receive baptism, the Church echoes that voice, affirming, "You are now a child of God."

Conclusion:

Today, we meditate on this mystery: How the Holy One descended into the waters to bear our sins and atone for them. How He opened the gates of Heaven, which had been closed due to our sins, and how He restored our right to be children of God.

Thanks to this mystery, you can say today: "Our Father."

Give thanks for the great grace of this sacrament and live according to your new condition—as children of God.

Questions?

If you have not baptized your children, how long will you wait to give them the grace of becoming children of God?

If you have already been baptized, ask yourself: Are you living as a child of God, or as a child of this world?

If God came today, would He say of your life, "This is my beloved son (or daughter)?"

Act as children of God, not as children of this world, which is passing away.