In today’s Gospel (Mt 28:16-20), Jesus teaches the remaining 11 apostles how to baptize the faithful. He also tells them that they must continue their relationship with the newly baptized, “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” It doesn’t matter if the newly baptized person is an adult or a baby, they need people to help them understand, and live out the Gospel message. As a father, and a godfather, I question how effective I have been in doing this. For my children, I have daily contact, but with some of my godchildren I have not seen some of them in years. COVID has not helped, but life had already separated us by many miles. My prayer is that there are good people, like many of you, around each of them who are teaching them how to live like good Christians.
I am not claiming I have figured out how to do this myself, but I try to do my best. I hope that you do too. For most of us it is easy to remember not to murder people, and follow most of the Ten Commandments. It can be harder to follow the corporal and spiritual works of mercy by feeding the poor and forgiving offences. Hopefully there are enough of us trying that it encourages not only the newly baptized, but also those of us who think of ourselves as followers of Christ. If we do a good enough job, maybe it will also bring more people into our Church. More importantly, people who will remain in the church. Baptize the faithful and keep them faithful. I will pray for you, your children, and godchildren. I ask that you do the same for my.
~JESUS SAID~
“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
