Responding to our baptismal call
Opinion
Each year I am often met with surprise when I tell people that Easter is actually a busier time for the Catholic Church than Christmas.
While most are familiar with the celebration of Christ’s birth on December 25, fewer realise that Easter – the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus – is what gives Christmas its true significance.
Without the promise of eternal life through Christ’s resurrection, the birth of Jesus would hold little meaning. It is the Paschal mystery, the death and resurrection, that defines our faith and grants us the gift of eternal life.
Lent, therefore, holds particular significance in our journey as Catholics. Traditionally, it is a time for reflection, repentance, and spiritual renewal – a sort of spring cleaning for the soul.
Lent prepares us to celebrate Christ’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday but also invites us to reflect on our own baptism. Through baptism, we enter the Church, receiving the promise of salvation. Thus, Lent is not only about personal reflection but also about the life of the Church and how we live out our baptismal vows.
Lent is a time for individual reflection but it is also a season for communal reflection. As we prepare for Easter, we are reminded of the rights and responsibilities that come with baptism. We are not called merely to grow in holiness ourselves but to help others grow in faith – especially those preparing to join our community through the sacrament of baptism.
Sadly, too often, those who seek to enter the Church through baptism are left to a small group of volunteers to teach them about the Catholic faith. As a community, we sometimes forget that baptism calls us to more than just personal spiritual growth; it also calls us to evangelise. Each of us, by virtue of our baptism, is called to make disciples – through prayer, word and example.
This Lent, I invite you to shift the focus from what you might give up personally to how you can give more of yourself to those seeking to join our faith community. How can we be beacons of light in this Jubilee year of hope? Take the time to notice those interested in joining the Church. Get to know the catechumens – those preparing for baptism – and reach out to them in faith and love. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a vibrant, welcoming community to nurture and support those who wish to join the Body of Christ.
One way to do this is by praying for the elect – those preparing for baptism – and inviting them to participate in parish activities. Support them not only through prayer but through simple acts of kindness, offering a listening ear and gentle encouragement. Every act of kindness affirms that we, as a Church, are here to help them find their place in Christ’s Body.
Consider the young parents around us who may be seeking baptism for their children. How can we, as a community of hope, offer care and support to these families? How can we live out our Christian duty to make disciples among them?
Not all of us are called to serve on the RCIA or baptism preparation teams, though volunteers are always welcome. However, each of us is called to live the Gospel in a way that invites others to discover the love, hope and faith we share. As St Francis of Assisi famously said, ‘preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words’.
This Lent, let us reflect not only on our personal relationship with God but also on our collective mission to build the Kingdom of God. Through prayer, action and outreach to those preparing for baptism we fulfil our role as disciples, continuing Christ’s work in our community. Let us be the hands, feet and heart of Jesus, showing His love and offering His hope to those who seek Him.
Easter is the heart of our faith. Let us ensure that our Lenten preparation helps others experience the life-changing power of the resurrection. In doing so, we will truly celebrate the fullness of our faith, in both word and deed.
Orla Wright, Pastoral Support, Community Life and Worship
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