Augustine on Baptism
In regards to baptism, we must keep in mind a very important truth:
All those who are baptized have put on "Christ" as the Apostle tells us. This means that a person who has received the sacrament of baptism is clothed with the grace and spirit of Jesus and therefore, is open and united to all of his other baptized brothers and sisters. Baptism automatically brings us into communion with everyone else. It is its very nature to do this, making us members of the Church and family of God.
There is therefore, no such thing as a "private" baptism; that is, a sacrament for me alone, which is some personal belonging and affair. It is not a private initiation to allow me entrance into a restricted group or make me a member of a spiritual club. It does not plant in my heart a love for some and indifference, scorn and hate for others. This would be a false sacrament and is not of Christ at all.
Anyone who decides to be baptized must seriously reflect on the fact that he is making a an authentic and conscious decision to accept every baptized Christian as his brother and sister, with whom he desires to live a full, sincere, humble and honest communion of perfect charity, friendship, goodness and love. Anyone who receives baptism with the idea that he will continue living in disunity and separation from other baptized people has missed the true meaning of the sacrament and will receive no real fruit from it. Baptism is a sacrament of unity and not division. No one should dare approach this sacrament if he has no intention of entering in communion with all of his brothers and sisters baptized in Christ.
It is true that it is only sin which separates us from God. The absence of sin, however, is not sufficient to unite us to God. The fact that I have two eyes does not mean that I will be able to see. I still need the light of the sun that will proportionate and capacitate me to perceive the material things of creation. Let us say, for example, that God created Adam with a flashlight to see in the dark. Adam's flashlight is robbed by the devil. His children are born with eyes, but no flashlights. What good are their eyes if they can't see anything in the dark? They need flashlights.
The acceptance of Christ is a Faith-consent of His Person and Divine Power on the part of the one who makes such a decision. This act, in itself, is a species of baptism, called baptism of desire on the part of the adult and confirmed by the baptism of water. The person in question, repentant of his sins, is forgiven and made clean through the power of the Passion and death of Christ.
Though the baptism of water could be considered as an outward sign of what happens inwardly, it is much more than this. The baptism of infants, also, is not just simply a mere consecration or dedication of their personhood to God. Baptism is one of the seven sacraments instituted by Christ to confer grace on our souls. Though Baptism acquires its full sense with an adult consent, it is not absolutely dependent on this. The sacrament works of its own power and nature. For example, if I am seriously ill and I simply wish to be well, my desire to improve my health is not sufficient for my cure. I need some real medicine. The medicine I take works independently of my desire or not to be cured. It does not depend on my wishes.
Commenting on the answer that Jesus gave to Nicodemus, St. Augustine correctly observes that Our Lord did not say to him: "Unless you are born again of the will of man or your own personal decision and acceptance of Christ." but said, "Unless you are born again of the water and the Holy Spirit" (independent of one's will). The sacrament takes effect in us independent of any of our wishes, like medicine administered in our bodies. Baptism is a supernatural, not natural action in us. It depends on the initiative of God, not our human power.
Infants have a right to be baptized. St. Augustine tells us that since all have died in Adam, so all partake of the grace of Christ (and that includes infants). Someone might ask: "Isn't this a violation of their freedom, to baptize them without their knowledge and consent?" In practice, no one thinks like that. No father says to his son: "I will wait until you are an adult to ask and see if you agree for me to clothe, educate, feed, shelter, cure, or protect you and make you heir of my goods and money." Parents anticipate all things for their children. They are given everything right from the beginning of their lives by their parents, even against their wishes. Will God be any less generous? Didn't Jesus say: "If you, being evil as you are, know how to give good things to your children, how much more will my Father do so to you?"
Jesus wants his grace in us right from the start of our lives, so that it begins producing its marvelous fruits. St. Augustine says that Baptism gives power and light to the souls of the infants. As soon as the infant is baptized, his intellect, weakened by original sin, is strengthened by the light of grace and begins to perceive clearly the truths of Faith. His will, weakened by original sin, is strengthened in order to resist temptations and sin. His heart, weakened by original sin, begins to develop a strong love and desire for God. Baptism is a healing sacrament. As St. Augustine says (commenting on Jesus' words) "The grains put out their shoots, kernels and shells and grow and we are not even aware of how this all happens." The grace of baptism works in mysterious ways deep in our hearts and souls. If baptism solely depended on each one's decision, then how do you handle the case of the mentally deficient and handicapped? At no point in their lives could they make the decision. Baptism, too, works in their soul, independent of a human decision.
Baptism opens up heaven and eternal life for the baptized. A child or mentally handicapped who die baptized goes straight to heaven. What of the infants who die without a chance to be baptized? St. Gregory of Nyssa gives the best answer to the question in his book called "On the death of an unbaptized infant". I see it like this: Let us say that we belong to a scuba diving group. We take a trip to the beautiful island of Fernando de Noronha in the northern part of Brazil, to see the undersea marvels. A few of the members of the crew forgot to take their equipment with them. While those with the equipment dive and enjoy the undersea flora and fish, the others sit on the beach and enjoy the nature, skies and hills. Everyone is happy according to his capacity. I reject the idea that unbaptized infants go to hell or limbo. God will provide a room in His mansion. He promised that there is plenty of it there.
Father Anthony Mellace
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