PUTTING ON CHRIST

SERMON PREACHED BY FR. TONY NOBLE ON JUNE 24, 2007

Galatians 3:27 "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ, have put on Christ."

In Galatians chapter 3 St. Paul speaks of baptism. He says that everyone who is baptized is a son of God. The term applies equally to men and women. The term “son” of God is more powerful than the generic "children" of God because - as St. Paul argues in chapter 4, and also in Romans, the term "son" means "heir". Not all children in the time of Jesus were heirs, but only the oldest son. By baptism we inherit all that God has to offer as if we were the only inheritors. All the blessing of being loved by Him, all the blessings of being embraced by Him as we are. And particularly in baptism, by being given the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Furthermore, baptism transforms us from being the children of human parents to God's own sons and daughters. In baptism it is as if we were the only son or daughter of God. More importantly we are the adopted heir. This adoption is known in theological terms is baptismal regeneration. The great symbol of water in baptism affects what it symbolizes: washing and birth.

In baptism, like all the sacraments, the symbol of the sacrament conveys what it symbolizes. So the water of baptism actually conveys what it symbolizes - washing and birth. Also, like in all the sacraments, it pours out sacramental grace.

If this is true (which it is) then you don't have to be a mature, intelligent adult to be baptized - but can be a new-born baby, who understands nothing except the love of parents and grandparents. For baptism is all about what God is doing for us.

It is therefore important to realize that chapter 3 of Galatians begins with St. Paul saying: "O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?"

The Galatians had gone astray. Even though they had been converted and baptized they seem to have gone off the rails. Was their baptism null and void? Of course not! Did God no longer consider them his adopted sons and daughters? Never!

So with us. The promises of baptism remain with us forever, despite our sins and negligences. The promise of baptism remains with us so that we can be brought back to Christ, saved and made free, time and again.

You notice also St. Paul says: "For as many of you were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." This is symbolized particularly by the traditional christening gown often handed down in the family. As the christening gown is put on the baby by the parents, so in baptism Christ is lovingly put on the baby. He or she puts on Christ, as St. Paul says.

But it's not like a sweater to be put on. For in fact we don't put on Christ ourselves. The parents, and the church, put Christ on us when we are baptized. It is all a gift of a loving God.

Earlier in Galatians chapter 3 St. Paul refers to the cross. And the cross is central to baptism - though at first it may not seem like it. The cross comes up in our other readings today also. In the first reading from Zechariah the prophet says: "When they look on Him whom they have pierced." The earlier Christians saw this obviously as a prophesy of the crucifixion - particularly in 13:1 where he says: "On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness." This is what happened on the cross, and is what happens in baptism.

From the wounded side of Him who was pierced flowed blood and water - the symbol of the 2 great sacraments of baptism and Holy Communion. Through these 2 great sacraments we receive the life of Jesus as a fountain of love. The cross, therefore, is at the heart of baptism. That is why in the rite of baptism the sign of the cross is made on the forehead of the baptized. From then on the cross is at the heart of every Christian’s life.

By it we are forgiven and restored.

Through it the Lord of life won for us redemption and salvation.

But when we think of the cross what comes to our mind? A nice piece of jewelry, something to be argued over in schools or courthouses, a beautiful processional cross which we bow to, as an acknowledgement of it’s centrality in our faith.

I am so thankful that Fr. Satrang erected the life-size cross above our altar. When we look at that cross, so central in our church - there we see the crucified Christ lifted up for all to see in its starkness and simplicity.

And surely it reminds us that Jesus died for you and me personally because he loves us?

Yes, Jesus died for us personally - and how weak is our response! And that is why in today's gospel Jesus says that we must take up our cross daily. Because daily we forget and neglect the cross.

Jesus said this after St Peter’s declaration that Jesus is the Christ of God. Straightaway Jesus talks of the cross in reference to his forthcoming passion and death - and then as a fact of life forever for all Christians, that we must take up our cross daily and follow him.

All of this is the scenario of living the life of the Christian today.

It begins in baptism with grace and love - and it never leaves us.

Because the loving kindness of God is never exhausted!