...in the middle of the homily last evening how powerful it is that the Catechism puts the benefits of Baptism, not in the past tense, but in the present. The question: "What benefits does Baptism give?" is present. And each of the benefits' verbs is also present: "it works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this as the words and promises of God declare." For many years, I've taught toward saying: "I am baptized" (not WAS baptized) and yet never noticed how the Catechism's present tense underscores that. Baptism - the gift that keeps on giving!
which follows what we learned about Greek grammar, present tenst = continuous action:)
ReplyDeleteYES!!
ReplyDeleteDitto for the Sacrament of the Altar.
Where there is forgiveness of sins, there IS life and salvation.
Bless you Fr. Weedon!
ReplyDeleteI'm working on my Approval Essay as a candidate for ordination in the ELCA and part of the essay is reflecting on the strengths and weaknesses of seeing Baptism as primarily a matter of initiation into the community. Baptism is something we never leave behind. It IS.