REACTION PAPER

Baptism is a loving gift from God that leaves an permanent mark on our souls so that just
as in the sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Orders we can only receive it once. If Baptized as
an adult the sacrament also has the effect of the forgiving of all personal sins, incurred up to that
point, as well as original sin, so the newly Baptized can be viewed as one who is truly born again
indeed! As in all of the sacraments Baptism is a special communication from God to us in the
form of the grace that is bestowed upon us, we become adopted sons and daughters of God
through the Baptismal character. In Baptism we are also given a great responsibility as well, to
live our lives justly as true children of God by following the great commandment handed down
by our Lord and Saviour Himself, to love our God with all of our heart, soul and mind and to
love our neighbour as ourselves. The rite of Baptism itself is a beautiful expression of the Faith
and communicates to the faithful various aspects of the way that we, as God’s people, interact
with Him in the sacraments. Besides the three fold pouring of the water over the recipient’s head
and the necessary formula of Baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit there are various sacramental involved in the ritual.

What I've learnt through this experience is that religious sacraments are sacred for life.
The essence of the Holy Spirit received during Baptism is with us throughout our life. At times
we may not connect deeply with this presence, but through receiving the Holy sacrament of
Baptism, the Holy Spirit will always remain in us. The theme of baptism is all about the
cleansing of sin, for us to resist temptation and evil, to find God and rejoice in being good and
sharing love. Through the sacraments we are reminded that even though the world is filled with
temptations and wrong doings, we are instilled with the knowledge of goodness and happiness
through the Holy Spirit and Christ. We must not despair in the act of sin, as being human is to be
sinful , however, it’s how we repent, forgive and improve that keeps the Holy Spirit alive within
us. Also the baptismal ceremony is filled with sacred and meaningful symbols that adds to the
essence of the sacred presence received during baptism. Being baptised as a baby I didn't get to
appreciate the true meaning of baptism or feel the significance of the event. Furthermore,
Everything about the ceremony is meaningful, from the priest clothes to the words said and
hymns sung, which encapsulates the sacramentality of the event.

Baptism is the first Sacrament and symbolic of starting a new life with God. The
symbolic factor of water is not lost on me. I have been christened and remember the event clearly
in my mind as I was 16 and chose for it to happen. I could see, hear and feel the water all around
me. I could hear the words being said and when I rose up out of the water I was a stronger and a
newer person. The water made God alive and real at that moment in my life and it symbolised
the beginning of my life as a new person.