Baptism Homily

Gospel: John 3:1-6

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(Light and hold the Baptismal candle and then blow across it)
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Faith is a fragile thing.

Just like this light that shines in the darkness is fragile. It can be snuffed out with little effort. A simple breath or a gust of wind can put us back into the darkness.

So it is with faith. It doesn’t take much for the beliefs we celebrate here today with Liam’s baptism to be extinguished. Faith is a fragile thing especially in this modern world we live in now.

But a flame also needs oxygen to stay lit and burning brightly. Let’s call this oxygen or this wind or this breath, the Holy Spirit.

What John’s Gospel is saying is we are born “from above,” or born “again,” if you look at the two meanings of the Greek word being used by John.

To be born “from above,” or born “again,” we receive the help of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus says, “unless one is born of water and spirit he (or she) cannot enter the Kingdom of God… what is born of spirit is spirit.”

To Christians, the Holy Spirit provides the light in our lives. And what is this light?

Light that banishes the darkness in our lives. Light that helps us to see the world around us. Light that puts everything into clear focus. Light that brightens our day. Light that helps living things to grow. Light that changes everything in our lives.

As parents, Godparents, family and friends, we are called to be the movement of the Holy Spirit in Liam’s life; to provide the needed oxygen for Liam’s light of faith to burn brightly for all eternity. We are called to be the light of Christ in Liam’s life.

Sounds like an awesome responsibility. Well, it is.

But it’s not one you are carrying out alone. Just as you were baptized in water and spirit, and born “again” or born “from above,” so you have the movement of the Holy Spirit actively working in your life and guiding you.

Share that movement of the Holy Spirit with Liam and his family. Help Liam to understand the importance of God in his life and he grows in the love of Jesus Christ.

“Amen, amen, I say to you…” keep the flame of faith burning brightly all throughout Liam’s life and for all eternity so Liam can clearly see the path God has put before him.