Welcome to the Family, Son!

This past Sunday, Brent was baptized. At our new parish there aren’t individual baptisms; instead they are held after family mass on Sundays and are for up to 6 babies. For Brent’s baptism, there were only two others, a little boy named Joshua and a little girl names Alexandra. Our friends Merry and Anthony and their son Blake were in town visiting from TN and since Brent’s godparents (Lauren and Jacob) both live out of town; they were willing to stand in for us as Christian Witnesses. Bernard’s parents John and Cindy drove up from Deltona (near Orlando) and my Aunt Joan came from Lutz (Tampa). It was definitely a much smaller affair than Gabbi’s baptism, but the Friday before, it was becoming more and more evident that God’s hand was (of course) in all of this.

Friday we went to a dinner at our church. While I was up getting some food, our new priest, Father Carlos, came up to Bernard and asked when Brent was getting baptized. When Bernard told him Sunday, Father told him that he was doing the baptism. In itself, this was a blessing. We have 3 priests at our parish: one that is semi-retired; the head priest, who I don’t particularly care for; and Father Carlos, our new dynamic, charismatic, youthful and passionate priest. We were ecstatic! He sat with us for about 30 minutes and held Brent. He talked to him and joked, “Sunday is a big day; if you are not ready, we won’t do this yet. You have two things to think about, you are joining our family. You are joining MY family. You have a biological father and I will be your spiritual father! We cannot wait to welcome you into our family!”



On Sunday, we were asked to stand outside the chapel to begin the baptism (parents, godparents and baby). We were asked all the traditional questions about who do we present to the church, what do we ask of the church, and do we all promise to love and assist this child as he grows in his life and his faith. When we had all answered, Father Carlos turned to the family and friends gathered in the chapel and asked them to welcome these children into their church. We walked in to a round of applause and smiling faces. We heard the reading and then Father Carlos started his Homily. Easily one of the best I have ever heard, and I am so excited to share it with you (paraphrased).

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“Today I’m going to share with you one of the most amazing things I ever learned. Today I’m going to explain to you the mystery of the Trinity. I can best explain this mystery by showing you. Let’s see…I need a father and a son (he looks at the family and friends gathered and chooses a godfather and his biological son, roughly 9 years old). Ok, you two come over here and look at each other in the eye. Son, do you love your father? (The little boy nods) Father, do you love your son? (He nods too.) Son, would you do anything for your father? (Son nods) Father, would you do anything to show your love to your son? (Father nods.) Well God the father feels the same way. Not only for his Son Jesus, but for each of us too. He loved Jesus so much that he literally poured himself into Him. He breathed the Spirit into Him so that He was a living part of Him. (He looks at the father and the son) How could you best express your love for each other right now? (They stare) I’ll let you think on that… (Father Carlos returns to the alter and leaves the father and son looking at each other. Eventually they give an awkward little hug) Ok! Very good! Now let’s try that again like you mean it! (The father laughs, a little uncomfortable at this public display of affection, but grabs his sons head, pulls him in for a hug and smacks his back a few times. The son giggles, but his arms remain at his side.) Hold that embrace…put both arms around each other. Rest your head on his chest, son. Father, close your eyes. Son, close your eyes. And just stay like that for a moment. (Father turns to us.) This is what the father longs for. This is what the son needs. When the father exhales, the son inhales. They are sharing one breath. They are sharing the breath, the Spirit of love. This is the trinity. This is the mystery. The deep love that exists between the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Let me weasel in here… (He slips his head between their arms) and this is you. This is where you belong and this is where we are bringing your children today. (He slips back out and slowly scoots the father and the son, still embracing, until they are surrounding the baptismal font.) Today this is what we are sharing with your children. The love of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

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(insert tears here)