Children and our Baptismal vows
"Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support these persons in their life in Christ?"
People: "We will."
Sound familiar? This is the vow that the congregation makes at every Baptism. Did you miss a baptism or two, stay silent at the response, remember that some of these people were baptized at other churches or in other denominations? Good news, it doesn't matter! We are all included in the vow through our baptism and responsible for the vows through our catholic communion. When St. James Parish responds with a resounding "We will!" we are making the promise on behalf of the church throughout the world. We are also accepting responsibility for supporting people baptized elsewhere, all Christians. The vow is both personal and corporate.
What exactly are we promising? "All in your power to support…in their life in Christ" is both vague and encompassing. 'All in our power' means using whatever talents we have as they are needed and does not depend on being asked directly. It could encompass everything from praying for the person in specific loving ways, to teaching Sunday School, to engaging in conversation about what you get our of the sermon or service. Support can be helping with transportation to church for Mass or choir practice, it can be childcare during meetings, it can be letters of encouragement or recommendations of reading material. It can be reassurance to a parent that their child is welcome in our communion and worship or willingness to answer questions from newcomers about the specifics of our worship. It can be engaging in discussion with other diocese or promoting social justice.
The ways to fulfill this vow are as wonderful and varied as the people in our church, they are as unlimited as God's love.
Do not keep yourself from the joy of fulfilling this vow.
People: "We will."
Sound familiar? This is the vow that the congregation makes at every Baptism. Did you miss a baptism or two, stay silent at the response, remember that some of these people were baptized at other churches or in other denominations? Good news, it doesn't matter! We are all included in the vow through our baptism and responsible for the vows through our catholic communion. When St. James Parish responds with a resounding "We will!" we are making the promise on behalf of the church throughout the world. We are also accepting responsibility for supporting people baptized elsewhere, all Christians. The vow is both personal and corporate.
What exactly are we promising? "All in your power to support…in their life in Christ" is both vague and encompassing. 'All in our power' means using whatever talents we have as they are needed and does not depend on being asked directly. It could encompass everything from praying for the person in specific loving ways, to teaching Sunday School, to engaging in conversation about what you get our of the sermon or service. Support can be helping with transportation to church for Mass or choir practice, it can be childcare during meetings, it can be letters of encouragement or recommendations of reading material. It can be reassurance to a parent that their child is welcome in our communion and worship or willingness to answer questions from newcomers about the specifics of our worship. It can be engaging in discussion with other diocese or promoting social justice.
The ways to fulfill this vow are as wonderful and varied as the people in our church, they are as unlimited as God's love.
Do not keep yourself from the joy of fulfilling this vow.
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