Baptism is the birth of a new life.

The birth of a child will make us happy. In the first place it is the parents who are enjoying. But even grandparents, friends, have a part in this joy. I’m sure your dear parents congratulated you on the birth of your child and expressed a wish that it was healthy, happy to develop well. But simultaneously, when we pronounce it, it’s not an illusion. There’s not so much trouble in the world. How many people have health problems. And doesn’t death cost death at the end of every life? We know  unmistakably that summer is followed by autumn and winter. God is the God of the living, not the dead. God’s life has a different quality of life. It’s not an infinitely long life. It’s a different life. It’s a life that doesn’t threaten death. This life came through Christ to the  people. The resurrected Christ is the first to carry this life. Lazarus was resurrected, too, but it was only in the resurrected Christ that we meet life without every limit. This new life is the promise and hope of us Christians. He’s pointing to the future. He tells us that the future of this child is not 80-90 years in this world, but the future of this child is in the fullness n eternal, divine life. A new life doesn’t begin until life on this earth is over. This child’s new life begins now that he enters the community with Christ and the church through baptism. Because  that new life is a community with God. This child will live in God, too. This new life will accept the child as a gift. And it will be our task, who we know of this gift, to help him enjoy this gift and to prove worthy to him. The message of a new life brings us real joy. Power and hope will drive us to push for a better world. When we light a candle, it will be a symbol of a morning without an end,  a symbol of life that even death cannot destroy. Being baptized, belonging to God, that’s such a big thing, we can’t even appreciate it.