Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. Matthew 3:13
Years ago I was baptizing a six-week-old baby. During the ceremony he was peacefully sleeping; cradled in his mother’s arms. When I was about to pour the water on his head, he suddenly awoke with a soft whimper. After the ceremony I mentioned to his mother that I was surprised he awoke so abruptly just at that moment. “Oh,” she replied, “I squeezed his toes to wake him. I didn’t want him sleeping through his baptism.” Her comment was a reminder that we should always be alert to our baptismal promises. This sacrament of initiation is the first step on our earthly spiritual journey. It is not a “once upon a time” event, but a daily way of life. When Jesus spoke of completing his objectives, especially the most painful ones, he said he was fulfilling his baptism. If we ignore our faith, allow evil to lead us and fail to pursue a life of Christian virtue, then we are sleeping through our baptism.
Jesus, when I spiritually doze, pinch my toes and wake me up.
Fr. James McKarns
Originally published January 13, 2008
