New Life

"God will renew your strength, and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring whose water never fails."

It is endlessly fascinating to watch gardeners water their plants and vegetables. Often, only moments after watering, the plants which were droopy and lifeless, come back to life, stand tall and invite admiration. How important water is to life and to us, and God promises to be our gardener if only we will stand still long enough for the water of Christ's life to take effect, to pick us up and send us forth.

One of the important tasks of Lent is to accompany candidates and catechumens as they walk the last days of preparation for their Baptism at Easter. Usually nurtured by a few parishioners though the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), we meet those seeking entrance to our church at Mass, and wonder what or who it is that is calling them to faith. Are some of them preparing to marry Catholics? Are others seeking a new way of life? Whatever it is that they hear, we are happy to be among them, especially at a time in the life of the U.S. church when there is so much scandal. Clearly, God's grace will not be stopped by our sins.

Those preparing for Baptism and entry into our church are the water for our Gardens. Though we may be dry and tired, our catechumens and candidates drench us in their goodness and desire and renew us in faith and hope. Our only obligation is to receive and treasure those who come to us as new life.

Today, pray for all those preparing for Baptism or to make a profession of faith in our church.

Why do you think people still seek Christ through baptism in the Catholic church?