grace through sacraments

Receiving sacraments is a joyous thing in the Catholic Church.  They are vehicles of grace. Through the sacraments, we freely accept this grace, allowing us to believe fully in Him, live in His ways, and learn to love like Him.  

We receive grace first in baptism.  We receive sanctifying grace, opening our soul to God's love and creating a union between our soul and God.  The other sacraments increase this sanctifying grace (reconciliation restores it!).

As I have mentioned before, why would you want to wait to receive Christ's grace (or for your child to?)  1250 "The sheer gratuitousness of the grace of salvation is particularly manifest in infant Baptism. The Church and the parents would deny a child the priceless grace of becoming a child of God were they not to confer Baptism shortly after birth."

^{I share these thoughts as it has been difficult to schedule a baptism close to the birth of our son.  We had hoped to have our son baptized on our priest's last weekend at our church (before he moves parishes).  It was disheartening to hear that he would be "too busy" for a baptism.  Wouldn't it be a wonderful way to leave your parish by joining one more member?  Unfortunately, sacraments are not always easy to receive at our parish, even if you are regularly practicing members and have completed the necessary classes/paperwork.}  With no priest for most of the summer, we have no other options for our son's first month of life.  I hope no one else has to be told their church is too busy for baptism.  Our son will be baptized, just maybe not within his first weeks of life as we had so hoped.  

baptism

Baptism: 

As we prepare for the birth of our first (4 more weeks!), I have started thinking more and more about baptism which we joyfully look forward to.

What does baptism mean?

Baptism is a sacrament.  It is our first sacrament and the foundation for a life with Christ.  Through baptism we are reborn as a member of the Church.  How beautiful is that? 

It is in baptism (from the Greek baptizein-meaning to immerse or plunge) that we are cleansed from sin.  Our sin is not washed in the water-it is buried in it.  Made to be no more.

As parents (and godparents) we accept the responsibility of raising the child in the church.  

Loyola Press provides a wonderful (brief) explanation of this beautiful sacrament.

Does timing matter?

Timing of children matters, whether "planned" or not.  Yes, baptism timing matters.  I was surprised to be the only young couple at our baptism preparation class that didn't already have an infant.  Our parish requires a class at least 6 months prior to baptism, so we attended when I was about 4 months pregnant. As a parent, I want my child to be freed from original sin and joined as a member of the church.  

Can.  867 §1. Parents are obliged to take care that infants are baptized in the first few weeks; as soon as possible after the birth or even before it, they are to go to the pastor to request the sacrament for their child and to be prepared properly for it.

It is in baptism that we encounter Christ for the first time, why wait!  Pope Francis has told people to celebrate the day they were baptized. He was baptized at 8 days old :)

fears

Adult life is scary.  Marriage, parenthood, family, jobs.  While all of these things bring joy, they also bring fear.  First time parenting has brought many fears to mind.  Will we be able to love him enough? How can we balance marriage, parenthood, and family? Will we have enough money?  It is with this that I find I have no choice but to let these fears into God's hands.  I myself am not able to calm them or fix everything.  I know I must let go of them so I can be the best wife, mother, daughter, sister, etc. possible.  

I think about the second reading from our wedding, Philippians 4:4-9:

"...have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.  Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus..."

May the love and peace of God be with you and calm your fears.

every perfect gift

As the time of our son's birth nears closer, I am overwhelmed with emotions.  

Love. Anticipation. Fear. Excitement.  

I keep going back to James, chapter 1. In addressing temptation, he tells us: 

 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers: all good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change.

18

I find this comforting. The reminder that "every perfect gift is from above" from our Father.  We may have fears and anxieties entering into new chapters of our lives, but what is a more perfect gift than that of a child?   As a child, He sent His only Son to us.  As Psalm 127 tells us, "sons are a gift from the LORD, the fruit of the womb, a reward."

As the next weeks pass, I will focus on this and await the "perfect gift" that is to arrive.