THE BEACON ON THE BOULEVARD

       When we are baptized, we are made “living stones.” “Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God.” (1 Peter 2:4) As I find myself saying a lot lately about the church: “No one is an island. It takes a village.” It is a joy, encouragement, challenge and a reality that once baptized in Christ, we ARE His Church. We are family forever in Him. Every baptism is a singular, unrepeatable and irreversible event under
God’s loving care. Our identity is changed. We have become a beloved son or daughter of the Father in the Son, who has grafted forever who we are to who He is. If a son or daughter to God,
then we are then brother, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin, etc. to one another. “So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord; in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22) Though only One among us is perfect, alongside His Immaculate Mother, we share and take this bond, as we are, with us wherever we go.

       There is no such thing as just another baptism. We’re overjoyed when even one person is brought into the Church on Easter! These persons followed the light of the star, followed the path towards Christ and found themselves here. They offer the gift of themselves to the community, knowing they will figure out this new life and learn how they will belong. Every infant baptism is like Christmas to us: a birthday in Christ for our parish! Families having experienced the joy of a new child don’t only baptize their child for the child’s benefit, but offer from their hands their child into the bosom of the Church. They offer their family to the family of God. Each of us when baptized into as living stones, the Bride of Christ is made more full, vibrant and beautiful, each with our own special place and function in the Family. When we receive Communion together, we are each nourished, rejuvenated and strengthened together. Know if so, when we are away at a distance or lacking in involvement, our absence is felt. It
leaves a space only we can fill. Foremost, our emotional distance is painfully felt by Christ. Once He set His eye on us, we are never forgotten. Our presence too is missed among the family of living stones among which we belong. Give the Church the joy of your presence.