Two weeks ago, we began our exploration of “Symbolic literacy,” (the ability to read symbols) and its place in our faith life. This skill is especially important for entering into the liturgy and the Mystery we are celebrating. This week and next we’ll look at a symbolic statement in each of our worship sites: Amenia and Pine Plains.
Sunday’s gospel tells of Jesus being led into the desert by the Spirit after his baptism. There’s a connection with this and the church in Amenia. As we enter the nave (body of the church), we notice two things—art work on the back wall and a large bowl on a pedestal, originally a baptismal font. The art piece contains three metal figures: John the Baptist, Jesus and a descending dove, depicting the baptism of Jesus as described in the synoptic gospels. Positioning it there in front of the pedestaled bowl is not accidental, but is to remind us, the viewers, of the connection between Jesus’ baptism and our own, his followers. Just as the Spirit descended on Jesus at his baptism, so too the Spirit came to us at ours. Similarly, as the Father claimed Jesus as His beloved son, so too the Father claimed us as His beloved daughter or son.
Placing the former baptismal font at the entrance to the worship space makes a faith statement. We are professing our belief that through baptism, we are brought into Christ’s body and now have the gift and ability to unite with Jesus and offer his perfect sacrifice to the Father. In the Eucharistic Prayer, this is what we do-- we offer Jesus perfect sacrifice to the Father. In many European churches there is a separate baptistry building in front of the church building. This is a much more dramatic symbolic statement that we need to be baptized in order to offer the perfect sacrifice to the Father. It is also stated symbolically in parishes with catechumens preparing to be baptized. At the conclusion of the Liturgy of the Word, the catechumens are dismissed, sent out of the congregation, leaving only the baptized for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
The former baptismal font contains a small bowl filled with holy water. Our custom is to bless ourselves with this water as we come into church. A simple act is to be a reminder of our baptism and the privilege we have to offer Christ’s perfect sacrifice to the Father. Why not, if you don’t do so already, bring to consciousness the deeper meaning of this simple gesture.
Lent is an ideal time to deepen our appreciation of the gift of our baptism. There are some prayer booklets and Lenten calendars available at the back of the church for this purpose.