It is difficult to top the honor of being asked to be a godparent for one’s child—even by Protestants, and even if one has difficulty asking by avoiding the use of the word “godparent”. I’m not sure why my wife and I were asked; we are, after all, Catholic. Nonetheless, we are thrilled to be part of the “Dedication Ceremony”, and excited to watch the child grow up.
Protestantism’s demand that the Church is invisible causes all kinds of confusion. Human beings are sacramental by nature—we are embodied spirits, and denying that God creates good things forces people to invent plugs to fill self-inflicted gaps. The original hole-pluggers might have been the Docetists. The early heretics denied that Jesus’ body was real, that it was an illusion. I don’t know what plug they used to fill the hole, but I know that the heresy has evolved, and still exists among the separated is varying ways.
Of course, Docetism’s enemy, the reality of Mary who gave Jesus flesh, is a stumbling stone for modern Protestants. And therefore, we probably won’t pray to the Holy Family, for only Jesus is holy. There is no Holy Family with which our friends can find communion on the special day, no Woman who brought Jesus to the temple, nor Joseph who guarded Jesus as every good bishop strives.
There will be no water baptism. Baptism is a state of mind, an invisible sense of being immersed by the love of God—something that the child might someday experience at a precise age of accountability. There might be a sermon ending with an altar call, though there will be no altar. The Eucharist will be hard for them to swallow, because they won’t have it. Someone will preside over the ceremony, but with no apostolic pedigree; such superstitions belong to the papists. And of course, there is no Original Sin, a myth that must first exist to even introduce the sacrament that “Dedication” is designed to replace.
My prayer is that this child grows up in the spirit of her name—which in Greek, means wisdom.
Baptism for the CoC at least has retained some of its meaning, be it limited.
The fact that I was asked to be the godmother of my niece despite being Protestant at the time certainly was always a draw back to the Church. Additionally, as a cradle Catholic to CoCer (but now very happily Catholic) when I had my children it was a source of internal uneasiness that I didn’t have them baptized.
I’m reading “take the Plunge” by Timothy Radcliffe. It REALLY explains each beautiful part of baptism and calls me back to the original promise made so many years ago by my parents and now lived out by me )to the best of my weak human nature).
True, the CoC still believes in baptismal regeneration! They don’t “know it” but they’re “more Catholic” than most other Protestants.
I have not read that book. I’ll add it to my cart. Thanks for the suggestion.
Tell someone from the CoC that they share Catholic beliefs in baptismal regeneration and watch the reaction. i was astounded by the eye rolls (nearly all) and the indignation of some.
If all else fails, sneak in some holy water and baptize the child when nobody is looking.
In all seriousness, congratulations and I truly wish the best for Sophia (/Sofia).
Ya know… that *might* actually be allowed by the Church, but I wouldn’t want to get caught by my friends doing it!
Sure the baptism is valid but from what I have read, doing a “sneak” baptism on an infant is discouraged.
Yes! That’s why I used the “* *”. Totally agree.
Dear Patrick, Scott & I were asked (and we accepted) to be godparents last year. I was surprised because we only knew the parents from church & functions therein. I asked the mom, “Why us? I mean, we’re thrilled but aren’t you afraid of offending a family member who might have been very excited at this prospect?” Her answer put a very heavy (but delightful) burden on us. She said we (Scott & I) were the most devout Catholics she knew & she wanted her son to learn from us and in the way we lived our faith. I’m not saying this to boast about us… not at all. What I want to say is that this family thinks highly of you & your wife and of your strong Christian values & convictions.
Congrats! You’re going to be AWESOME godparents!
Christine
Awww:)
What’s this, the Czar reading books by Timothy “I’m pro-homosexual lifestyle” Radcliffe? Never!!!!!
Oh really!? I’ll claim ignorance here.
As to the topic at hand, many congratulations. I think your witness to this family must be very real. Maybe one day you will be leading them through RCIA…
I have found out that alot of the deficiencies in Protestant spirituality are because they have done away with the sacraments. They say that God will not judge them for sins after they are saved because they can’t be held accountable through confession. They over-emphasize the Scripture because they are not fed through the Eucharist. They do not have anointing of the sick so they must deny the communion of saints etc etc.