I had the honour of officiating at the baptism of two children in Kitigan Zibi last Sunday. It got me thinking about the significance of baptism in our relationship with God and why it holds a special place among the sacraments of the Church. As I think about it now, I feel it is a universal sacrament and an ancient ceremony that opens humanity to a quasi-more-than-human experience.
A Universal Sacrament and Ancient Ceremony
Baptism is one of those few ceremonies that I consider deep, ancient, and sacred. When I say ceremony, I don’t mean celebration but rather a ritual that has been passed down through time. I never approach it like other rituals. The funeral rite is the only other ritual that comes close to it in terms of significance, sacredness, and age. Sadly, we have lost the value of this later ceremony nowadays. We lost it when we segmented life into birth, life, and death. In fact, there is no beginning, middle, or end, as they are always together, sharing the same space and time, shifting from one point to another. However, due to our human nature, we can’t entirely comprehend it.
A Universal Sacrament or the Sacrament of the Church?
When asked to participate in a baptism ceremony, I never take it for granted. It is a significant event that I approach with a sense of reverence. While many view it as a sacrament of the Church, it is much more than that to me. It’s a sacrament of the entire universe. The words spoken during the ceremony cannot fully capture the profound significance of the rituals that take place. The elements of the ceremony are so deep that no words can fully convey their meaning.
Water: symbol of divine grace and purity
As someone who has guided families through the sacrament of baptism, I am always amazed by the power of water. This ancient element has the ability to transform the candidates who come before us, even if we cannot visibly see it happening. It is a remarkable thing to witness how water, revered throughout history as a symbol of divine grace and purity, can have such a profound impact on the lives of those who are baptized.
Fire: a primordial element with cleansing power
I am fascinated by the idea that humans can embrace the fire of baptism. Even though it appears to be just baptismal candles to the onlookers, fire is an element humans cannot tame. It radiates with pureness and allure, but it is also a primordial element that has the power to cleanse, transmute, and entirely change anything it encounters.
Oil: an element with a mystical power that transcends the human experience
Oil is a unique substance that plays a crucial role in our lives, although its place in nature is not entirely understood. One of its remarkable properties is that it allows for the smooth movement of joints in our bodies, which is essential for our mobility. The significance of oil is also reflected in its use in baptismal rituals. Combined with other elements, it imbues the ceremony with a mystical power that transcends the human experience. The intricate interplay of oil and other elements in baptism represents a holistic incorporation of all aspects of human existence, including birth, life, and death. By blending these elements, we are reminded of our connection to the natural world, the essential role that different substances play in our lives, and that baptismal ritual to a quasi-mother-than-human ceremony.
