Sin

Adam Shared Divine Life with GodGod created man and woman with body, soul, and sanctifying grace.

sanctifying grace- God dwelling in his soul, pouring supernatural life into it.

2Adams Sin introduced DeathConsequences of Losing Sanctifying Grace:

Adam immediately brought death to his souland retained his bodily life only temporarily.

3Consequences of SinBefore (the Fall)After (the Fall)

Consequences of SinBefore (the Fall)After (the Fall)

Need Life, But Dont have It. Original Sin We are born without Sanctifying Grace Not stain but the absence of that grace we need to reach the goal for which God destined us.

Heaven- (Life with God) We can never live there without Grace (Share in His Life). i.e. If we wanted to live on another planet, we should need new breathing powers, which by nature our lungs have not got. To live the life of heaven, we need new knowing and loving powers, which by nature our souls have not got. No Sanctifying Grace No HeavenIts not a question of getting past the gate but living once we are there!

What are we to do?

O happy fault, O necessary sin of Adam which gained for us so great a Redeemer!

John 3:16Romans 6:23John 10:10Jesus: Truly, truly, I say to you unless one is born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God

Baptism BasicsCCC 1213Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word. 9

Discussion: What are reasons people take baths or showers?What are other uses for water in our culture?What is the spiritual meaning of Baptism?

Baptism Basics10

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The Main Point:Baptism is the radical re-orientation of ones life to embrace and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.Baptism Basics12

I. BaptismA. is one of sacraments of initiation

1. Baptism

2. Confirmation

3. Eucharist

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B. water symbolically joins us to the death and resurrection of Christ --- dying (going under water) to rising (emerging from the water) Baptism Basics14

C. we die to selfishness and sin and rise to a new creationBaptism Basics conversion a radical reorientation of ones life15

Conversion of St. Paul

D. The meaning of Baptism:2. the washing away of original sin, and for adults, the personal sin up to that moment1. immersion into Christs death and resurrection to new life in ChristBaptism Basics3. B. is so important, it is the only sacrament that can be administered by a person who is not even a Catholic, or even a believer18

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II. Baptismal waters prefigured in the Old Testament

A. water was a precious substance often used as an offering to GodSea of GalileeBaptism Basics20

B. creation came from a watery abyss (Gen. 1:2)Baptism Basics21

C. Noahs family preserved from flood; a new covenant (Gen. 7:6-9:17)

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D. thru the Red Sea God brought freedom from slavery (Ex. 14:10-22)Baptism Basics23

E. crossed Jordan to enter Canaan as promised to Abraham (Joshua 3)Baptism Basics24

F. God promised streams of water in the desert as hope to exiles (Ez 47:1-12)Baptism Basics25

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III. Baptismal waters in New Testament

A. all Gospels report Jesus own baptism(note: Johns was ancient purificationritual, not the sacrament)Baptism Basics27

B. Jesus turned water into wine at Cana --- prefigures a heavenly banquet (Jn 2)Baptism Basics28

C. he told Nicodemus a person must be born of water & spirit to enter eternal life (read Jn 3:1-6)Baptism BasicsNow there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.He came to Jesus at night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him."Jesus answered and said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above."

Nicodemus said to him, "How can a person once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother's womb and be born again, can he?" Jesus answered, "Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit.

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D. he offered living water to quench thirst of Samaritan woman (Jn 4)Baptism Basics30

E. he washed feet of disciples to purify them and to an example (Jn 13:1-20)Baptism Basics31

F. water & blood flowed from his pierced side (suggests both Baptism and Eucharist)Baptism Basics32

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IV. Baptism in the Early Church

A. baptism seen as connected to Christs death and resurrection (see Romans 6:3-4)Baptism Basics34

Baptism Basics

B. all sacraments of initiation were given at the same time

1. process of preparation was called the catechumenate

2. today = R.C.I.A. (Rite of Xtn Initiation of Adults)35

1. Sins (original and personal) are washed away2. It is made possible for us to share in eternal salvation3. We become adopted Children of God4. We become members of the Church = the Body of Xt5. B. gives us the grace to see the mysteries of Xty thru the eyes of faithV. Baptism todayA. The Effects of Baptism Baptism Basics36

B. Eligibility for Church membership:1. I am a sinner2. aspire to holiness = become the best-version of-yourself3. proclaim the gospel to others The most effective messenger is the one who lives the message (St. Francis)Baptism Basics37

C. Matter and Form and Minister1. Matter: water (also, chrism oil, white garment, candle)2. Form: I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the H. Spirit3. Minister: usually a bishop, priest deacon, but anyone in an emergencyBaptism Basics

D. Is baptism necessary for salvation? Baptism BasicsJesus answered, "Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. John 3:5Yes:

(We will be held responsible for the truth revealed to us!)But what if someone leads a good life, but he never hears about Baptism? Does this mean he can't go to heaven? Baptism is only necessary for those who have heard the Gospel message and who have the possibility for asking for the sacrament. Even though God has bound salvation to sacraments, God and His mercy are not bound to the sacraments.Baptism BasicsBut:

Do you remember the main point?Baptism is the radical re-orientation of ones life to embrace and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.Baptism Basics41

Discussion1. For the first Xtns, Xty was a lifestyle --- no separation of sacred vs. secular. Is this the understanding today?

2. How might baptism be viewed differently during a time of persecution, as it is in some places still today?42Baptism BasicsThe Doctrine of Original Sinis based on Genesis 1-3, creation, the FallBefore the Fall, Adam and Eve lived in original holiness and justiceWhen they chose to disrupt the original harmony by disobeying God, they were deprived of that conditionand their descendants have inherited this condition of sinfulness or deprivationBoth their action and the resulting condition are referred to as original sin43Do you not realize that you have been baptized into His deathWhen we die our death = death,

When we die Christs death = life His is the only death that brings life!

(Eternal) Effects of Waters of B.1. Liberation from Sin liberated from eternal death

2. Interior renewal actualizing the potential of sanctifying grace

(Eternal) Effects of Waters of B.3. Enter into a share/participation in death and resurrection of Christ

4. Receive 3 Potencies: Faith, Hope, Love.(Eternal) Effects of Waters of B.5. We are reconciled with the Father, becoming his adopted children

6. We are initiated into communion with the Church, Christs body.

(Eternal) Effects of Waters of B.7. Receive a permanent Seal or Character

- cannot be wiped away for eternity

- mark of configuration to Christ as member of His Church