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| My nephew, Dylan, being saved from being dirty. (Not his baptism.) |
This morning, I took my parents to church at my local Berkeley catholic church, where I have attended a few services. I like it because the crowds pretty diverse and it's Berkeley, so they don't tend to get too judgy if I show up in jeans and a sweatshirt. Today of all days, happened to be "Baptism" Sunday. Lots of babies, but for the most part everyone was well-behaved as they had water poured on them in a freezing cold church. Poor naked babies. It's so hard to get saved these days.
It reminded me of my nephew, Dylan's baptism about 3 years ago. My parents and I flew to Wisconsin to meet the newest member of my sister's new little family for the first time. He was only a month old, so he really wasn't as much fun as he is now. Crying, pooping, spitting up, and sleeping... that was pretty much the most he could do. Still he's amazing.. we took a great nap together.
It was January, like it is now. It was snowing, and we all braced the cold for Dylan's baptism. It was packed full of kids, and we all gathered around the baptismal pool to watch Dylan be saved. I wonder if that's what he wants for himself. Sure, he really likes church because he can say "AMEN" really loud and he can shake strangers hands. It's not complicated yet, but I guess that's just my perspective.
The priest at mass today was talking about baptism and about how it's a calling to one's faith. Something more than just being happy for yourself, with your successes and excepting your true calling. God, that was really deep. It's a lot for just a little baby to deal with. Hell, I'm not sure how comfortable I am with the whole idea. It's hard enough just being happy with who you are some days! However, I do appreciate the tradition of baptism. It's like a like a big welcome party to the community before your first birthday, but without all that sticky, original sin that you were born with.
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| All the kids watching Dylan's baptism. |
