Baptismal Homily_B (2)

This candle is very special. We only use it on three occasions: baptisms, like today; funerals; and during Easter. But why this candle? What’s the point? Like any candle, there are two parts: the candle itself and the flame. The candle, for us, symbolizes Christ. Christ who is God made human. Who became human so that we might become like him, like God. The flame, on the other hand, symbolizes Christ’s Resurrection. That event where Christ rose victorious over death itself, so that he might give us new life.

But what does this have to do with what we are doing today? What does this have to do with baptism? In just a few moments, after the baptism, I will invite a member of your family to light your child’s candle from this candle. What Christ is doing today is lighting the flame of the resurrection in the heart of your child. In baptism, you child will share in the most wonderful event in human history, where Christ destroyed death and gave us a share in his divine life. Just as when your child was born, and became like you, and will continue to become like you as he grows up. So now, being born again in baptism, your child will be like God.

However, this flame needs to be fostered and protected. Just after you light your child’s candle, you will hear me say these words: “This light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly, so that your child, enlightened by Christ, may walk always as a child of the light and, persevering in the faith, may run to meet the Lord when he comes with all the Saints in the heavenly court.” You must keep this flame, lit in your child’s heart today, burning brightly, and like any flame, you must feed and protect it. Just as a flame needs to be nourished with fuel, or else it will die out, you, parents and godparents, need to nourish the faith of your child. You need to instruct them in the faith, feeding their minds with the saving truth that Jesus has taught us. You need to keep them close to the sacraments. To do this, you yourselves need to stay close to the sacraments, most especially the Eucharist at Mass and confession. In seeing your lives nourished by the Sacraments, your child will desire them all the more. Lastly, pray with your child. In prayer, we forge a friendship with God. A friendship that nourishes and strengthens us in all of life’s difficulties.

Today, Jesus is giving your child the greatest gift he could possibly give, himself. Don’t allow this gift to go out. Foster and nourish it like you would for the only light in a dark room. However, you are not alone in this undertaking. As I said at the beginning of our liturgy today, the whole Church rejoices with you at the gift of this child, and the whole Church is here to help you keep the light of Christ burning brightly in your child. Let us now, join with the whole Church and all the saints, in praying for your child.