Sunday, November 11, 2007

Who's the holiest person in the room?



It's me!

Grace was baptized this morning at the 8:00 AM Mass at our parish. She did fine, but I cried tears of joy!

One thing that people always take note of after a child is baptized is the smell of the chrism that they are anointed with. I have been smelling the chrism all day today, and everything that she has been in contact with, from her car seat to my bed and my shirt, carries the faint aroma of it.

And isn't that the way we are supposed to be?

2 Corinthians 2:15 states that "we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." The beauty of the sacraments is that Our Lord uses tangible things -- water, oil, fragrance, candlelight, etc -- not only to impart grace, but to make visible for us spiritual realities.

And what are those spiritual realities?

Grace has now been made a child of God, has had original sin washed away, and has been indelibly marked by the Holy Spirit. She is now a new creation, and just as she is carrying the aroma of the chrism everywhere, and leaving a "mark" wherever she goes, so we are to do that too.

While I can't seem to get my words out and explain it well, it has been eye-opening for me to see just how easily contact with her "spreads." One person holds her, which marks their clothing, and then they carry the aroma of it wherever they go.

Contact with us should do the same. People should be changed for the better for having been around us. We are called to be the "aroma of Christ," spreading the fragrance of Him everywhere.

May God make it so.

7 comments:

Charlotte (WaltzingM) said...

What a lovely reflection! Congratulations little Grace!

Beth said...

Wow Ouiz, that is such a beautiful post.

I cried at Madeleine's baptism. I was wondering if I would at future children's baptism. I think so - it will be just as special.

We loved the chrism smell - I don't think I gave her a bath for a week!

Ladybug Mommy Maria said...

Beautiful post to go with that BEAUTIFUL girl!

Congratulations!

Lisa said...

Lovely meditation! Congratulations to your new child of God!

Carrie said...

Hey Ouiz! Just wanted to let you know that I finally made a blog for myself. I don't have much on there right now, but it's

chatdeminet.blogspot.com

-Your Sister

Alice Gunther said...

She is beyond beautiful!!

Thank you for this post.

Jennifer @ Conversion Diary said...

What a beautiful post! Congratulations.