Baptism: adult versus infant

Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray.

The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said,

“Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them…”

Matthew 19:13–14

How early is too early

Nelson Mandella said, "the soul of a nation is measured by how it treats it children." When do we introduce God into the lives of our children? The Council of Trent catechism ties the above verse to infant Baptism stating, “Christ the Lord would not have withheld this Sacrament from children, of whom He said: Suffer the little children, and forbid them not to come to me…” Anointing infants satisfies God's abiding-ache to protect and guide His purest of souls.

Minimum Age for Baptism

Some argue, if infants cannot understand love or reason, why baptize? Catholics argue that infants do feel and receive love, especially God's love. Babies witness and experience true love through parental patience and solid demonstrations of right versus wrong. Yet, that doesn't offset original sin. The salvific-graces of Baptism offer an indelible mark which “remains forever" as a guarantee of divine protection" (CCC #1121). Baptism authorizes God to activate an unremovable-flow of ongoing-grace. Proof is how Jesus left the 99 to chase our lost souls (Luke 15:4).

Adult-only Baptisms

Did Jesus "rebuke" the disciples for hiding the kids? It's not clear but it raises questions. Adult-only baptisms in Protestant sects prevent families from invoking infant salvific-graces. Even a younger-Jesus was presented in the temple to God. Why separate the Creator from His newest creation? What anger, pride, envy, sloth or jealousy would ever stop us from sharing our God? 

Retrace your Steps

• How old were you when you first knew God?
• Who did you tell?
• Why do we keep God to ourselves?

Look into the heart of Jesus above and see how He embraced the above children. How might we see friends or family as scared little-kids needing a Father's love? End their suffering: invite someone to Holy Mass, to see the weekend-Confession process or to watch a Baptism. We have the best religion in our back pocket, yet we steer clear of starving-souls seeking all the wrong things. God just wants to love us, with our permission. The more we become like little children, the more we can see Christ's love and share it. 

Prayer

My tender Lord, You welcome all to Your graces.
You welcome every child to share in Your loving embraces.
Please help me to accept Your love & love others,
never hiding You or Your Mother.

Mother Mary, pray for us. 

Jesus, I trust in You.

All Are Welcome - Catholic Daily Reflections