April 10, 2009
The Christian Journey
‘Christ is risen! Indeed Christ is risen!’
BY FATHER JIM SAUER
Eastern Orthodox Christians and Eastern Catholics (those Orthodox Christians now re-united with the Bishop of Rome following the Great Schism of 1054 A.D.) use this greeting upon meeting one another on this most sacred Easter Day.
Not only did Christ rise from the dead historically on that first Easter morning, but we experience Christ’s resurrection in our midst again in 2009! His resurrection is a continuing reality for all ages to come. We witness Christ’s resurrection in the re-birth of our new members who are baptized and confirmed during the Easter Vigil, the Mother of all festivals. If this were not actually happening before our very eyes, why would the priest pray these words over the baptismal water: “May all who are buried with Christ in the death of baptism RISE ALSO with him to newness of life?”
Born again in Christ by baptism, our new members are now one with Christ and his priestly people. No longer must they wait for the bishop to come to the parish for Confirmation as in the past when the adults filed up following the children. The priest who baptizes them is now permitted to confirm them. Before our own eyes we behold what Jesus told Nicodemus who came to him during the night, “Unless a person is born again of water and the Spirit, he shall not enter the Kingdom of heaven” (John 3:1-5). How wonderful that the Church has restored this ancient custom of connecting water baptism and Spirit baptism in one same ceremony. This will help us Catholics not to be so taken aback if some of our Protestant sisters and brothers ask us if we have been “baptized in the Spirit!”
Our baptized members, as well as those received into full communion with the Catholic Church through Profession of Faith (although previously baptized in another Christian denomination), will now share in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit sent by the Lord upon his apostles at Pentecost and given by them and their successors to the baptized. This Spirit will make them more like Christ. The Spirit will strengthen them to be active members of the Church and to build up Christ’s Body. Not only does Easter unfold before our very eyes, but also Pentecost!
Let us not forget ourselves! We who have devoted ourselves to more praying, fasting and good works during Lent have also risen a little more with Jesus. Therefore, during the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday Masses, we also renew our baptismal promises and are sprinkled with the baptismal water recalling our being raised to new life in Christ in baptism.
Next Sunday’s Opening Prayer beautifully expresses this as an ongoing reality in our lives: “Heavenly Father and God of mercy, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for he is alive and has become the Lord of life. From the waters of death, you raise us with him and renew your gift of life within us. Increase in our minds and hearts the risen life we share with Christ and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you.”
Reborn in baptism, filled with God’s Spirit, we invite our new members now to dine with us at the Lord’s table here on earth, anticipating that day when we — with all who have served God – shall share in Christ’s banquet of eternal life. “Christ is risen! Indeed Christ is risen!”