Through the waters of this font ...

Homily for the Blessing of New Baptismal Font

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Year C

Isaiah 40.1-5, 9-11 Psalm 104 Titus 2.11-14, 3.4-7 Luke 3.15-16, 21-22

** Note: This weekend, Deacon Patrick Gallagher preached at two of our weekend Masses. At the third Mass, our new Baptismal Font was blessed. Below is the brief homily I preached for the blessing of the font. Following the homily is the prayer of Blessing of a Baptismal Font from the Book of Blessings. **

In the introduction to the order for blessing a new baptismal font, the Church tells us that the baptismal font “is rightly considered to be one of the most important parts of a church” (Book of Blessings 1080). That’s quite a statement! What makes a baptismal font so important? It is important because it is through the waters of the font that infants, children, and adults first encounter the sacramental grace of God. It is through the waters of the font that we first receive forgiveness of sins. It is through the waters of the font that we become in name and fact children of God. It is through the waters of the font that we become members of the Body of Christ. It is through the waters of the font that we become Christians. And it is through the waters of the font that the gates of heaven are opened for us. Because in baptism, we join ourselves to the paschal mystery of Christ. We die to our old selves of sin and rise, filled with the Holy Spirit, to new life in Christ. The grace of God is poured out on us, and after the moment of baptism, we are never the same again. A journey is begun as we go forth from these waters, a journey in which, if we so choose, we can follow Christ, learning to live temperately, justly, and devoutly, as St. Paul says to Titus; it is a journey of hope that can lead us to eternal paradise. Often, along the way, we get lost or confused or even walk backwards. But the grace of baptism, the grace that begins in the waters of the font, is an assurance that we can always get back on track, we can always start moving in the right direction, and we can always once again become “heirs in hope of eternal life” (Titus 3.7). What a grace it is for us as a parish to be able to bless this new font, for in its waters, countless infants, children, and adults for years to come will encounter the saving grace of Christ and be offered the gift we all long for – the glory of heaven.

Lord God, Creator of the world and Father of all who are born into it,
It is right that we should give you praise
For allowing us to open this saving font through the liturgy of your Church.
Here the door is reopened to the life of the spirit
And the gateway to the Church is swung wide
To those against whom the gates of paradise were shut.
This pool is opened and in it the newness of its pure waters
Will again make clean and spotless
those who were stained by the old ways of sin.
A new torrent is released
Whose gushing waters sweep away sin and bring new virtue to life.
A stream of living water, coming from Christ’s side, now flows
And those who drink this water will be brought to eternal life.
Over this font the lamp of faith spreads the holy light
That banishes darkness from the mind
And fills those who are reborn here with heavenly gifts.
Those who profess their faith at this font
Are plunged beneath the waters and joined to Christ’s death,
So that they may rise with him to newness of life.

Lord, we ask you to send the life-giving presence of your Spirit upon this font,
Placed here as the source of new life for your people.
The power of the Spirit made the Virgin Mary the mother of your Son;
Send forth the power of the same Spirit, so that your Church may present you with countless new sons and daughters and bring forth new citizens of heaven.

Grant, O Lord, that the people who are reborn from this font
May fulfill in their actions what they pledge by their faith
And show by their lives what they begin by the power of your grace.
Let the people of different nations and conditions
Who come forth as one from these waters of rebirth
Show by their love that they are brothers and sisters
And by their concord that they are citizens of the one kingdom.
Make them into true sons and daughters who reflect their Father’s goodness,
Disciples who are faithful to the teaching of their one Master,
Temples in whom the voice of the Spirit resounds.
Grant that they may be witnesses to the Gospel, doers of the works of holiness.
Enable them to fill with the Spirit of Christ the earthly city where they live,
Until they are welcomed home in the heavenly Jerusalem.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.