Meister Eckhart stated: “If thanksgiving were the only prayer that came from our heart, it indeed would be sufficient.” Why should we thank God? For the simple reason that God is the essence of Goodness, Beauty, Generosity. What has God given to us? Absolutely everything… everything! Except one thing: our own personal sins! These, sad to say, we have chosen for ourselves!
Among the first on the list to render abundant thanksgiving to God should be the gift of God Himself, supernatural life that was bestowed on us in the very moment of our Baptism. “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” It all started in that moment— our 2nd birth, our supernatural birth which Jesus was explaining to Nicodemus: “Unless a man be born of water and the Holy Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (Jn. 3)
Upon celebrating the Baptism of Jesus, as the Christmas Season comes to an end, we should call to mind our own Baptism and lift up grateful hearts to the God of all Gifts and render abundant thanksgiving.
Following is a list of supernatural graces that rain down from heaven in the exact moment of Baptism. Why not utilize this scheme in the form of a Litany and thank the Lord for these graces and at the same time beg for the grace to be responsible to utilize to the maximum these graces and privileges, never forgetting that with the gift there is always a corresponding responsibility to respond by using the gift!
LITANY OF THANKSIGIVNG FOR THE GRACES
OF BAPTISM
OF BAPTISM
1. ORIGINAL SIN WASHED CLEAN. In the moment of Baptism, the Original
Stain, called Original sin is washed clean from our soul. The beautiful
expression of “Baptismal innocence” is true!
The poet John Milton wrote Paradise
lost and Paradise regained. In a certain sense Baptism is Paradise regained
in the soul.
Stain, called Original sin is washed clean from our soul. The beautiful
expression of “Baptismal innocence” is true!
The poet John Milton wrote Paradise
lost and Paradise regained. In a certain sense Baptism is Paradise regained
in the soul.
2. SON/DAUGHTER OF GOD. Baptism transforms our
relationships. Born naturally we are created in the image and likeness of God,
However, not until Baptism do we truly become Sons and daughters of God. What
an extraordinary dignity—Sons of the Eternal, Infinite, All-powerful God!
relationships. Born naturally we are created in the image and likeness of God,
However, not until Baptism do we truly become Sons and daughters of God. What
an extraordinary dignity—Sons of the Eternal, Infinite, All-powerful God!
3. BROTHERS/SISTERS TO JESUS CHRIST. If anyone ever asks you if you
have an elder brother, you should respond in the affirmative, saying, “Yes,
JESUS CHRIST!” Our duty and task in
life is to get to know Him better, love Him more ardently and follow Him more
closely. (St. Ignatius and fruit to beg for in the Spiritual Exercises)
have an elder brother, you should respond in the affirmative, saying, “Yes,
JESUS CHRIST!” Our duty and task in
life is to get to know Him better, love Him more ardently and follow Him more
closely. (St. Ignatius and fruit to beg for in the Spiritual Exercises)
4. INTIMATE FRIEND: THE HOLY SPIRIT. In a society where so many
people suffer from loneliness, abandonment, and depression, that should not be
our case because we are never alone. Jesus stated this clearly when he said I
will not leave you as orphans, but I will send you the Holy Spirit. The Consoler, Counselor, Paraclete, Interior
Master, Sweet Guest of the Soul, “The Gift of Gifts” (CCC)— all are titles
for the Holy Spirit who indeed is your Intimate Friend and desires to be your
best Friend. Jesus said that He would be
with us always even until the end of times; God is present with us in the
Person of the Holy Spirit.
people suffer from loneliness, abandonment, and depression, that should not be
our case because we are never alone. Jesus stated this clearly when he said I
will not leave you as orphans, but I will send you the Holy Spirit. The Consoler, Counselor, Paraclete, Interior
Master, Sweet Guest of the Soul, “The Gift of Gifts” (CCC)— all are titles
for the Holy Spirit who indeed is your Intimate Friend and desires to be your
best Friend. Jesus said that He would be
with us always even until the end of times; God is present with us in the
Person of the Holy Spirit.
5. THE BLESSED TRINITY. There is no separation or divorce in God.
Where the Father is there is the Son and where the Son is also is present the
Holy Spirit. This being said, the baptized soul has the INDWELLING of the
Blessed Trinity. One of the hallmarks of Carmelite Spirituality is the
heightened awareness of our soul being the Indwelling of the Blessed Trinity
through grace and all starting in the moment of Baptism. Glory be to the Father and the Son and the
Holy Spirit abiding in my soul starting with Baptism!
Where the Father is there is the Son and where the Son is also is present the
Holy Spirit. This being said, the baptized soul has the INDWELLING of the
Blessed Trinity. One of the hallmarks of Carmelite Spirituality is the
heightened awareness of our soul being the Indwelling of the Blessed Trinity
through grace and all starting in the moment of Baptism. Glory be to the Father and the Son and the
Holy Spirit abiding in my soul starting with Baptism!
6. FAITH. With Baptism come the three theological
virtues of FAITH, HOPE, AND CHARITY.
Faith is an intellectual virtue by which we believe in God, a God who we
do not see with our physical eyes but with the eyes of our soul. In this year of faith we should beg for deeper faith in
the Biblical words: “Lord, strengthen my faith….” As well as with the doubting Thomas: “My Lord
and my God!!!”
virtues of FAITH, HOPE, AND CHARITY.
Faith is an intellectual virtue by which we believe in God, a God who we
do not see with our physical eyes but with the eyes of our soul. In this year of faith we should beg for deeper faith in
the Biblical words: “Lord, strengthen my faith….” As well as with the doubting Thomas: “My Lord
and my God!!!”
7. HOPE. Also in Baptism God endows us
with the theological virtue of hope.
Hope is related to TRUST in a mysterious but providential and loving God. What is hope? Hope is a virtue of trust in which I know and believe that despite the many problems, trials and tribulations and sufferings
that enter my life, I know (hope and
trust) that God is with me in those dark moments and He will help me through
them. Recall the words of the Psalmist: “The Lord is my Shepherd, there is
nothing I shall lack….. though I walk through dark valleys I fear no evil
because you are with me with your rod and staff….” (Psalm 23, The Good Shepherd).
with the theological virtue of hope.
Hope is related to TRUST in a mysterious but providential and loving God. What is hope? Hope is a virtue of trust in which I know and believe that despite the many problems, trials and tribulations and sufferings
that enter my life, I know (hope and
trust) that God is with me in those dark moments and He will help me through
them. Recall the words of the Psalmist: “The Lord is my Shepherd, there is
nothing I shall lack….. though I walk through dark valleys I fear no evil
because you are with me with your rod and staff….” (Psalm 23, The Good Shepherd).
8. CHARITY. Paul states it, “The love of God has been poured into our hearts..” The greatest
of all virtues is that of charity. It is a supernatural love where we love God with all our heart, mind, soul and
strength and our neighbor as ourselves for love of God. (Lk. 10.) St. Paul in
his sublime hymn on love says that of all the virtues, faith and hope, and
others, the greatest of these is love. (I Cor. 13) St. John of the Cross says,
“In the twilight of our existence we will be judged on love.” St. Francis de Sales who wrote a Spiritual
masterpiece entitled, “Treatise on Love”, affirmed this with these words: “The
measure that we should love God is to love God without measure.” These three theological virtues that connect
and unite us with God are all free/gratuitous gifts richly bestowed upon us in
the moment of Baptism! Praise and thank the Lord for His goodness!
of all virtues is that of charity. It is a supernatural love where we love God with all our heart, mind, soul and
strength and our neighbor as ourselves for love of God. (Lk. 10.) St. Paul in
his sublime hymn on love says that of all the virtues, faith and hope, and
others, the greatest of these is love. (I Cor. 13) St. John of the Cross says,
“In the twilight of our existence we will be judged on love.” St. Francis de Sales who wrote a Spiritual
masterpiece entitled, “Treatise on Love”, affirmed this with these words: “The
measure that we should love God is to love God without measure.” These three theological virtues that connect
and unite us with God are all free/gratuitous gifts richly bestowed upon us in
the moment of Baptism! Praise and thank the Lord for His goodness!
9. JUSTICE. The moral virtue of Justice also is given. This virtue, according to Aquinas related to religion, teaches us to give each
one his due, what he really deserves. Teaching children we say clearly, “Learn to be fair!”
one his due, what he really deserves. Teaching children we say clearly, “Learn to be fair!”
10.TEMPERANCE. Another one of the moral/cardinal virtues that comes in the moment of Baptism teaches us
the proper, ordered moderate use of material things related to the proper
ordering and use of the body. Therefore, temperance aids us in ordered habits
of eating, exercising properly, forming well-ordered sleeping habits, and the
dominion of the imperious and demanding sexual urges and appetites. Either we
dominate these tendencies through the virtue of Temperance and experience the
true liberty of the sons and daughters of God or they dominate us and we become
slaves to our passions!
the proper, ordered moderate use of material things related to the proper
ordering and use of the body. Therefore, temperance aids us in ordered habits
of eating, exercising properly, forming well-ordered sleeping habits, and the
dominion of the imperious and demanding sexual urges and appetites. Either we
dominate these tendencies through the virtue of Temperance and experience the
true liberty of the sons and daughters of God or they dominate us and we become
slaves to our passions!
11.PRUDENCE. Another one of the moral/cardinal virtues, prudence,
is proper reasoning leading to correct action.
The Gift of the Holy Spirit, Counsel, perfects Prudence. According to the angelic Doctor, St. Thomas
Aquinas, to make a prudential act three steps are necessary: 1.) Deliberation
(to ponder seriously and think the topic through; 2.)Decision. After serious
deliberation, that must lead to action. If not we become perpetual procrastinators
and never get anything done!
3.)Execution— this means that after the decision has been made, then
through the “Imperation of the will” (Aquinas) the firm determination of the
will, the action is carried out. How important it is to know to reason properly
and make correct decisions. A wrong decision could be catastrophic! Prudence helps us in important
decision-making!
is proper reasoning leading to correct action.
The Gift of the Holy Spirit, Counsel, perfects Prudence. According to the angelic Doctor, St. Thomas
Aquinas, to make a prudential act three steps are necessary: 1.) Deliberation
(to ponder seriously and think the topic through; 2.)Decision. After serious
deliberation, that must lead to action. If not we become perpetual procrastinators
and never get anything done!
3.)Execution— this means that after the decision has been made, then
through the “Imperation of the will” (Aquinas) the firm determination of the
will, the action is carried out. How important it is to know to reason properly
and make correct decisions. A wrong decision could be catastrophic! Prudence helps us in important
decision-making!
12. FORTITUDE. The last of the moral virtue is that of “Fortitude”. This is the virtue of the martyrs of all times and places. The
Holy Spirit breathes His strong breath upon us and gives us the grace to be
patient in trials, to stand up for the truth, to denounce errors, to accept
willingly contradictions and persecutions and to be willing to shed one’s blood
and even die as a martyr— all of this is possible through FORTITUDE!
Holy Spirit breathes His strong breath upon us and gives us the grace to be
patient in trials, to stand up for the truth, to denounce errors, to accept
willingly contradictions and persecutions and to be willing to shed one’s blood
and even die as a martyr— all of this is possible through FORTITUDE!
13.THE Seven GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT… WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE, COUNSEL, UNDERSTANDING,
FORTITUDE, PIETY, AND FEAR OF THE LORD… All of these seven gifts are given not in the moment of Confirmation but
at the very moment of Baptism. Like little seeds planted in the Garden these
Gifts must be cultivated constantly so that they become operative. Once
cultivated and operative they are extraordinary helps on the Highway to holiness! The Fathers of the Church compare our soul to
a SAILBOAT with seven sails and the sailor/captain must know the WIND. The Boat is our soul, the stormy waters the
world that surround us, the 7 sails are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and
the wind is the Breath of the Holy Spirit, the Captain of the soul is you and
me. The shore is our destiny: HEAVEN! At Baptism we are blessed with these
seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Praise and thanks be to God forever!
FORTITUDE, PIETY, AND FEAR OF THE LORD… All of these seven gifts are given not in the moment of Confirmation but
at the very moment of Baptism. Like little seeds planted in the Garden these
Gifts must be cultivated constantly so that they become operative. Once
cultivated and operative they are extraordinary helps on the Highway to holiness! The Fathers of the Church compare our soul to
a SAILBOAT with seven sails and the sailor/captain must know the WIND. The Boat is our soul, the stormy waters the
world that surround us, the 7 sails are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and
the wind is the Breath of the Holy Spirit, the Captain of the soul is you and
me. The shore is our destiny: HEAVEN! At Baptism we are blessed with these
seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Praise and thanks be to God forever!
14.NEW FAMILY MEMBER: THE CHURCH, THE MYSTICAL BODY OF CHRIST. With Baptism, we become incorporated in a
new Family, the Church. We become family members of 1.3 billion Catholics throughout the world, the numerous saints in heaven, not to mention the souls in Purgatory— All in the family!
new Family, the Church. We become family members of 1.3 billion Catholics throughout the world, the numerous saints in heaven, not to mention the souls in Purgatory— All in the family!
15. ACTUAL GRACES. How good God is! Still more graces and gifts does He shower upon us! Once baptized,
we have a right to receiving “Actual graces”. These are divine impulses and
inspirations that work marvels on both our mind and heart. Heavenly lights fill
our mind to do good and promote God’s glory; in our will, God sends us peace
and joy and enthusiasm in His service. Even when tempted, grace helps us to
resist the evil and carry out the good.
we have a right to receiving “Actual graces”. These are divine impulses and
inspirations that work marvels on both our mind and heart. Heavenly lights fill
our mind to do good and promote God’s glory; in our will, God sends us peace
and joy and enthusiasm in His service. Even when tempted, grace helps us to
resist the evil and carry out the good.
16. RIGHT TO RECEIVE THE OTHER SACRAMENTS. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the Sacrament of Baptism is the “door” of the church— meaning the way by which we enter the life of the Church. Once Baptism is received that opens up the door to reception of the other sacraments. Of course the greatest of Sacraments is the most Holy Eucharist, the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus. According to Aquinas all the sacraments point to and converge in the Eucharist!
17.EXORCISM. The constant state of man on earth is mortal warfare. The three principal enemies to our salvation are the devil, the flesh
and the world. In the context of the Sacrament of Baptism the minister carries
out the Rite of Exorcism. It is a “Minor Exorcism” (not a Major Exorcism).
Meaning? The enemy’s first defeat is the
Sacrament of Baptism. The Anointing with the Oil of the Catechumens reminds us
of the insidious intrigues of the enemy. However, God, His angels and saints
and Mary are much more powerful!
and the world. In the context of the Sacrament of Baptism the minister carries
out the Rite of Exorcism. It is a “Minor Exorcism” (not a Major Exorcism).
Meaning? The enemy’s first defeat is the
Sacrament of Baptism. The Anointing with the Oil of the Catechumens reminds us
of the insidious intrigues of the enemy. However, God, His angels and saints
and Mary are much more powerful!
18. PASCHAL CANDLE. Once Baptism is administered Parents and the
Godparents are called to imitate the Candle that they lighted having taken the
light form the Paschal Candle; the Paschal Candle symbolizes the Risen Jesus.
The Lord is truly risen, Alleluia! The
Baptized person has the support of the good example and prayers of the
Godparents. (This is the ideal!) Even more so, the child has the prayers,
sacrifices, good example and teaching of the parents, who indeed are called to
be brilliant lights of holiness and good examples before the eyes of the child.
We tend to imitate what we see!
Godparents are called to imitate the Candle that they lighted having taken the
light form the Paschal Candle; the Paschal Candle symbolizes the Risen Jesus.
The Lord is truly risen, Alleluia! The
Baptized person has the support of the good example and prayers of the
Godparents. (This is the ideal!) Even more so, the child has the prayers,
sacrifices, good example and teaching of the parents, who indeed are called to
be brilliant lights of holiness and good examples before the eyes of the child.
We tend to imitate what we see!
19. HEAVEN. Through Baptism we have a right to inherit eternal life! What could be more consoling to know that one
day we will be with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the angels and
saints and for all eternity and eternal bliss. It all starts with that little
seed planted in the soul in the moment of Baptism!
day we will be with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the angels and
saints and for all eternity and eternal bliss. It all starts with that little
seed planted in the soul in the moment of Baptism!
20. Mary. If God is our Father, and Jesus our elder brother and the Holy Spirit
our deep and intimate Friend, that means that Mary has a special place for us
once baptized. She is the Daughter of the Father, Mother of the Son, and Spouse
of the Holy Spirit. That means that Mary truly becomes our Spiritual Mother!
our deep and intimate Friend, that means that Mary has a special place for us
once baptized. She is the Daughter of the Father, Mother of the Son, and Spouse
of the Holy Spirit. That means that Mary truly becomes our Spiritual Mother!
