BAPTISM IS THE SOURCE OF JOY FOR THE CHRISTIAN

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BAPTISM AND THE MIRACLE AT CANA OF GALILEE

The Church arranged to celebrate the Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ over 2 days. On the third day, the Church celebrates the first miracle which our Lord performed in Cana of Galilee

. Our Lord Jesus Christ changed water to wine at the wedding at Cana of Galilee. Wine in the Scriptures always refers to joy. Baptism is a source of joy for all Christians. After baptism of the newly born baby, his or her parents dress the child in white clothing. Deacons and parents, along with attendants of the church, go around the church in a ceremonial procession singing and rejoicing. Baptism is a cause of joy to Christians because:

FIRST

Every human being is a sinner at his birth because he inherited the old, corrupt nature of our father Adam, and he bears sin from the first moment of his life on earth as the prophet David the King said: "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me." Psalm 51:5. Through baptism, our fatherly sin, and also all sins of the baptized, that are old are forgiven. Forgiveness causes Joy as Jesus said in the Parable of the Lost Son: " But the father said to his servants, Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. And they began to be merry." Luke 15:22-24 Notice that the best robe in this parable refers to baptism.

SECOND

Without baptism, all humans are slaves to sin, death, and Satan. However, Our Lord Jesus Christ set us free and gave us life on the Holy Cross. Through baptism God grants us liberty and life as St. Paul said: "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin." Romans 6:3-4, 6

THIRD

Through baptism, we became sons of God. Man rejoiced with his father who loves him and takes care of him, especially when he is wise, mighty, rich, good, etc. By baptism we became sons of God as it is mentioned to the Galatians: "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Galatians 3:26-27

FOURTH

Through baptism we became a bride for the Bridegroom because we are members of one body, or in other words, we are members of the Church whom John the Forerunner called her the bride and Jesus the Bridegroom saying: "He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegrooms voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled." John 3:29.

No one can be considered a member of the church without baptism as it is written:

For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free and have all been made to drink into one Spirit." 1 Corinthians 12:12-13

FIFTH

Baptism is the door, the entryway, to other Sacraments, such as Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist. These mysteries grant us joy. As it is written about the Fruit of the Spirit: " But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23

SIXTH

Through baptism, our names are inscribed in Heaven as our Lord said to His disciples: "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in Heaven. Luke 10:20