Christ asks the person who is baptized to be truly converted

Christ asks the person who is baptized to be truly converted

Here is a baby for baptism. Through the ministry of the priest, Christ unites them to himself and gives them God's life. This happens through and through the community of the Church, who accepts this child into her midst. Is a man in the sacrament of baptism, to whom it is given, has nothing to say ? Can it remain completely passive ?

A call to conversion

W 3 Passover Sunday (year A) we read the speech of St.. Peter, which he delivered on the day of Pentecost : "Israeli men, listen to it, what I say : Jesus the Nazarene, Husband, whose mission God has confirmed to you with extraordinary deeds, miracles and signs, which God has made among you through him, what you know about yourself, this husband, which one will, God's order and prediction was released, with the hands of the wicked you crucified and killed. […] This is Jesus that God resurrected, and we are all witnesses of it. […] When they heard it, they were deeply concerned : «What are we to do, brethren ? »Asked Peter and the rest of the Apostles. "Be converted," Peter said to them, "and let each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins" "… (Dz 2, 22-23. 32. 37-38a). God is demanding conversion not only of these, who listened to St.. Peter, but also from everyone, who wish to be saved. Conversion is a necessary condition for entering ,,new creation ". Everyone should give up the way of sin and consciously, choose to follow the path of Christ. How Christ rose from the dead, so also every man must arise from sins, die for them, to live only for God. The first conversion is not a single moment. It increases slowly throughout the duration of the catechumenate and reaches its peak at baptism. Turning to God is a lifetime, because the Christian must still choose between God's way, and the way of evil.

The rite of baptism as an invitation to conversion

We are made aware of the truth about the need for conversion through the rites of adult baptism. Already during the catechumenate, the Christian community, that is, the parish, prays for the candidate and strengthens him in the fight against evil. We call these prayers exorcisms. The rite of anointing with the oil of catechumens also signifies strengthening, whom the Church gives to the catechumen to fight evil and Satan. The moment of conversion most clearly appears in the rite immediately preceding the washing with water. The priest demands from the catechumen, to renounce the evil spirit and make a profession of faith. This has been done since apostolic times. The triple declaration of faith in the Triune God towards the Church is an expression of the ongoing conversion. This is what conversion is about, that the catechumen consciously and freely chooses Christ, and at the same time he firmly rejects Satan and all his affairs. Baptism also became the beginning of a new life for you and a choice between the way of Christ, and the way of evil. Of course, every adult catechumen is now able to make a choice. Ty, baptized as a little child in the faith of the Church, you were not yet able to fight evil. That is why your parents, at the time of baptism, made a solemn pledge to raise you in a Christian and thus prepare you, in a way, to make a personal decision in the choice between evil and good.. Through your believing parents, the Church has looked after you. They were the first to tell you about God. You learned to pray from them. You went to church with them, where you saw people gathered around one table and thus form one family at a meal. They took care of your religious upbringing. Thanks to them, you too have already made a choice. You did it before your first Holy Communion. You yourself have renounced Satan and confessed your faith in God, the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. However, these are only the beginning of your journey together with Christ and with the Church in your further journey to the Father's house.. Conversion is the task of all life. You cannot convert once and for all.
The effort to stand on the side of Christ must be undertaken over and over again. It reminds you of taking part in the Easter Vigil every year, when we all renew our baptismal vows. Each confession and each participation in the Eucharist is a new conversion. You will make a special solemn commitment to follow Christ, when you enter the sacrament of confirmation. You will then become a mature Christian. But remember often, that you are not alone in this fight. Like other Christians, you received the Holy Spirit in baptism, make you :
,,Having a life from the Holy Spirit. he let himself be guided by this Spirit… So that you can resist Satan's insidious attempts, pray in that Spirit at every opportunity " (by. Ef 6, 10-20). Ask for bravery and courage in the fight against evil.

How will I answer God ?

You certainly don't want evil, which you are inclined to. - But you are also aware, that you too are in constant danger of departing from Christ and returning to sin. So you have to make a choice every day. You must be converted every day. Christ is your hope for victory and your model in the fight against evil. Consider your conduct at home, at school, on the street, among friends and strangers, and think, what should be changed. Consider this especially in your daily examination of conscience.

You can express your request for God's help in words :

"God, who made man in a wonderful way, and even stranger you have redeemed it, make it happen, please, that we may with the strength of our spirit resist the charms of sin and deserve to achieve eternal joy (Holy Saturday, prayer after first reading).

■ Think:

1. What is God calling people to do through St.. Peter ?
2. What is Christian conversion ?
3. Which rites of baptism express the need for conversion? ?
4. How a baptized person is converted in childhood ?

■ Remember:

8. St.. Peter : "Repent and be baptized each of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins" (Dz 2, 38).

■ Task :

1. Consider, what would you like to change in your life, that it would be more pleasing to God and people ?
2. Write in a notebook, how does a Christian in a "record" differ from a true Christian ?