Baptism – Total Life Transformation

You might remember our old friends, Chip and Dale, of whom I have spoken many times. These two men are professional carpenters who make their living flipping houses. They are very successful and are in great demand for their work. Recently Chip has been somewhat moody, and Dale asked him what was going on. Chip said “We have been working together for many years. Perhaps we have been working too hard and too long. Something is missing in my life.” “Now that you mention it, I agree with you. What do you think it is?” asked Dale. Chip replied “Let’s go see Fr. Curtis. He can see what we can’t see.”

They made an appointment to see Fr. Curtis on Friday after work. Father didn’t disappoint them. He suggested that they take a break from work and go on a retreat. I must tell you that Chip and Dale were faithful Catholics attending Mass every Sunday; just like you. They never expected what they would experience at that retreat. By the third day into the retreat, they both had a total life transformation which resulted in Jesus becoming the focus of their life.

A total life transformation occurs when a person experiences an event that changes everything. The old approach to life no longer brings satisfaction. The old way of thinking and understanding changes drastically. It is something like what today’s progressive ideologs tried to force on us; resulting in the word woke.  The total life transformation, however, is not exclusive to the progressives who introduced a new and different way of life through academia and governmental policy changes. For example – consider the victims of the California fires this past week. Their homes were destroyed by fire. Now they are homeless and have lost everything. They must start over again. Their lives will never be the same.

Actually, you have experienced a total life transformation when you sold your home and came here to live. For some the change was difficult, for others the total life transformation was welcomed and brought much satisfaction. Another example of total life transformation came when your spouse died or some significant person in your life, for whatever reason, left you. You were forced to make some drastic changes. The old way of living gave way to a new and unique way of living. For some the change was difficult, for others the change was exciting and satisfying.

I experienced a total life transformation when the bishop forced me into retirement. One day I was your chaplain here at St. Mary’s Home; the next day I was no longer your chaplain. So, I became a hermit dedicating my life to prayer and penance. Rather than ministering to you as chaplain for five hours a day, now I spend five hours every day in prayer and penance for you and many others who seek my intercession before the Lord. It was a big change, a total life transformation! Chip and Dale also experienced a total life transformation.

These men experienced a baptism in the spirit in which Jesus became the focus of their life. The transformation was not physical but spiritual. With this new focus, they continued to flip houses. However, they began to do work for Christ, with Christ, and in Christ. In other words, they began to reach out to people for Christ. As they grew in their new life focus, they helped others with Christ. Their spiritual grew until they began to work and minister to others in Christ.

When Jesus asked his cousin, John, to baptize him, it was not to be washed clean of sin. Jesus, the incarnate Word of God had no sin. In his  human nature, Jesus wanted to be fully human and embrace humanity fully. Consequently, by being baptized, Jesus introduced a change in baptism. The waters of baptism not only wash away sin but also introduced and added a new change in life. John the Baptist said “I am baptizing you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. . . . He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire. (Mt. 3:11+)

By undergoing John’s baptism, Jesus signaled that his life was off to a new start. The Holy Spirit defined his mission – that of redeeming humanity by his passion death and resurrection. Fire is a reference to Pentecost when the apostles received the fire of the Holy Spirit. They experienced a total life transformation. They had, indeed, changed! Their focus was Jesus, their new life was to continue Jesus’ mission of inviting us to not only repent but also to work and minister in the kingdom of God.

This total life transformation in Christ, can only happen in Faith, Hope, and Charity (love). Chip and Dale continued to live faith as they had for all their adult years. But their baptism in the Spirit and Fire transformed them tin such a way that their focus in life was to live the life of Jesus, to be Jesus to everyone that encountered. Their transformed life was not lived on their sleeves for everyone to see, but in their hearts of love for others. In their transformed life, they reached out to others as Jesus taught: Love one another as I have loved you.

This is where you come in. You are called to total life transformation, to a life of grace through a baptism of Spirit and fire. You won’t be rebaptized. The change comes in the Eucharist. Jesus comes to live in you, and you live in Jesus. Through the Eucharist, you become one with Jesus, Jesus becomes one with you.  You are fully an adopted child of God.

This total life transformation is a call to be totally focused on Jesus every minute of the day and night. It is a long process. It is like a pilgrimage. Pope Francis invites you to be a Pilgrim of Hope in this holy year. Father Vincent will encourage you and guide you on this new life, a life of total transformation in hope. Your faith will be strengthened and your love for others will bring peace and justice to a world that is lost and confused today. Pray that you will find this a holy and exciting time, a time of total life transformation.

God be blessed! Now and forever. Amen.