The Effects of Baptism  

The sacrament of baptism has five effects: first, it removes all sins – original and personal. Second, baptized persons receive a sacramental character which configures them to Christ as priest, prophet and king. This sacramental character makes baptized persons a new creation, and distinguishes them from the unbaptized. Third, baptized persons receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which enables them to enter into a personal relationship with God. Fourth, baptized persons become adopted children of the Father in heaven. Fifth, baptized persons become members of the Church and enter into communion with other Christians.

If baptism washes away original sin, then why do baptized persons still sin? Although it is proper to each individual, original sin does not have the character of a personal fault in any of Adam’s descendants. It is a deprivation of original holiness and justice, but human nature has not been totally corrupted: it is wounded in the natural powers proper to it, subject to ignorance, suffering and the dominion of death, and inclined to sin – an inclination to evil that is called “concupiscence”. Baptism, by imparting the life of Christ’s grace, erases original sin and turns a man back towards God, but the consequences for nature, weakened and inclined to evil, persist in man and summon him to spiritual battle. (CCC 405)

While baptism removes original sin, the sacrament also infuses us with the Holy Spirit allowing us to receive sanctifying grace and become an adopted child of God. When we hear that Christ took away the sin of the world it does not mean that He took away our free will to reject Him. There is a difference between redemption and salvation: Christ redeemed the world back to the Father and we must cooperate with that redemption for our salvation. Saint Paul speaks of this in his letters: “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13)

January 3, 2019 is the Feast Day of the Holy Name of Jesus. As the patronal name of our church, we will celebrate this feast day next Sunday, January 20, 2019 in lieu of the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time.

On February 2-3, 2019, please welcome Ms. Chih-Li Ying and Ms. Yvonne Chow who will present a seminar on evangelization. The main theme for this seminar is “Celebrate Chinese New Year with the Lord.”

Ms. Mannie Leung will offer a basic singing class today at 12:30 pm in the choir room. This new class will be scheduled every second Sunday at 12:30 pm.

Liturgy Committee meeting today

January 13, 2019 at 12:30 pm

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