Every Christian, at baptism, is washed in water as the outward sign of being cleansed from sin and born to new life in Christ.

The symbolism of water is clear. Water washes clean. It supports life. From the earliest times water has been blessed and used by the Church as a symbol in blessings, dedications, funerals and in ceremonial sprinkling as a reminder of baptism.

I shall pour clean water over you and you will be cleansed; I shall cleanse you of all your defilement ¼ I shall give you a new heart, and put a new spirit in you.

Ezekiel 36:25

In many churches there is a stoup, or font, of Holy Water near the door. Christians may dip the fingers of their right hands in the water and make the sign of the cross on entering or exiting a church. On entering the church, it serves as a reminder that through the waters of baptism we entered into membership of Christ's Body, the Church. On exiting a church, water serves as a reminder that at baptism we were signed with the cross and must not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified.

The gift of baptism is new life, participation in divine life. It is incorporation into the Church. Christ's death was above all a personal decision. It entailed following the Father's will and renouncing Christ's own desires. In this he realizes the salvation of humankind and conquers sin. Baptism incorporates us into Christ's life. We receive his grace, which includes his personal decision to die, and his perfect union with God the Father as fruit of the Resurrection. In baptism, we are incorporated into Christ as Head of the Church and therefore we are connected with all the other baptized. To be incorporated into Christ means to be incorporated into his Church.

The Easter Season is a time for pondering. How clear in my daily life is the absolute priority of God's love as professed in my baptism? What further confirmation of that baptismal profession am I being called to this Easter Season? How clear are the effects of my baptismal profession of God's great victory in Jesus' Calvary experience: humbly confident peace and zealous hope?

The new joy of Easter is also a new mission. As the Father has sent Jesus, he now sends his friends and followers on the task of reconciliation and redemption of the world. God sends us! As Christians we see Jesus as the unique image of God in humanity. But we also see Jesus as prototypical and inclusive of us all, drawing us into his witness and his ministry. We are Christ's hands and arms and legs in the world today. We are his resurrection story.

God our Father, your gift of water brings life and freshness to the earth; it washes away our sins and brings us eternal life. Renew the living spring of your life within us, and protect us in spirit and body, that we may be free from sin and receive your gift of salvation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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