In baptism we have the potential and the power of grace to imitate Christ. Why? Because Christ's very life is in us. God has taken up residence in us. Not only that, we grow in that living intimacy of God-in-us whenever we receive the Eucharist.
The work of Christian life is to become like Jesus—to become, in full adult measure and stature, our truest selves, modeling Christ, while maintaining our unique personhood and distinctive qualities.
It is a calling, and we are called, each of us, by name.
The living out of our baptism is a process of on-going transformation, made up of many moments of conversion, and sure, you could call it the stuff of resolutions.
And even if we openly refuse to acknowledge it, reject it, ignore it, or go to extremes to try to erase it, we can never undo this seal. It is once, for all time and eternity. We will never change its reality or permanence. Therefore the Church recommends our embracing of it, and our regular, even daily renewal of it.
Each time we dip our fingers in the holy water font and make the sign of the cross, each time we profess our faith in the Creed or renew our baptismal promises, and each time we hear a Gospel that spurs us on, we embrace the truth of who we really are, and to whom we belong, once again.
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (St. Paul, Letter to the Ephesians, 5:1-2)
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In