Brothers and sisters

It’s so wonderful for us to be here today. To welcome another member into the family of Christ. It is a joy for me to be here and baptize our little baby Michael. It is truly a moment of joy, and of grace for the entire Catholic community of Cyprus.

Anytime there’s a Baptism in the Church, is the dedication of a life to God, the promise of Christian life and salvation in Christ, for this reason a Baptism is always a time for celebration. So I’d like for us to take a few moments this evening to reflect with you about what happens when a person is Baptized. About what will happen in Michael’s life today, with baptism, which is the door to all the sacraments.

The first step in this life, the Christian life—the first step in living like Christ, in defeating death and becoming what we were created to be… to participate in the life of Christ.  We participate in the death and resurrection of Christ through our baptism, we bury the old man and arise to life in Christ. We arise to life in Christ. “It is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me,” St. Paul said. Yes, this child starting today he will be one with Christ. Yes, brothers and sisters with baptism we are one with Christ. And we will never be alone, we will never be abandoned…

sadly we live in a world where the culture of death seems to be stronger. Wars, economic interest, appearance, seem to be stronger than our faith. Celebrating the baptism, baptizing a child, in the Catholic faith is a sign of hope. But let us remember it is not just a rite. It is not just a tradition. It is the grace of God, the life of Christ that today transforms the Michael’s life of. And we can say with complete certainty: this is the greatest gift, the greatest gift that we can give him. More than all the gifts, and material things. But today through the baptism of Michael, he will be a member of the Church… yes, a member, part of the Church. And we all have a great responsibility. All of us: bishop, priest, parents, godparents. We have the responsibility to accompany, educate and guide this son of ours in the Catholic faith.

May In the Church he will have to find understanding, acceptance. May in the Church he can find a family, and the environment to grow.

To conclude, I want to thank you for bringing your  child here today, and asked for him the Baptism.  and I pray God’s blessing on you and on your families as you begin to walk the journey of faith with him.  Parentes, godparentes, grandparents “may you be the best of teachers, bearing witness to the faith by what you say and do, in Christ Jesus, our Lord.”  Amen.