SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY! Monster truck madness in the Baptismal font (10-14-2007)

I always thought it would be a lot of fun to be the voice on the TV or radio who got to do the announcements for the Monster trucks, Nascar, and other intense sporting events that don't include football or basketball. I have been thinking a lot about birthdays, baptism days etc. and for some reason it resonates through my mind with “the voice” “SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY! This Sunday only at the superdome you’ll see Baptism like you’ve never seen it before. Chrism, water, and the cleansing of sin. Tickets go on sale soon for the whole seat, but you’ll only need...the edge.” At least that is how it plays out in my mind. Even though we don’t announce or advertise Baptism quite like sports center would, we should still be on the edge of our seats for it. This kind of talk tends to bring about the discussion of whether or not people should celebrate their baptism day instead of their birthday. I once heard that our late Pope J.P.II was asked what the most important day of his life was. Most expected him to respond that it was the day he was elected pope, or the day he became a priest. But he told them that it was the day he was baptized. It makes one stop and think about what makes our birthday’s so special that we celebrate them every year? Well, for starters you can’t be baptized unless you are born, so in a way birth is a pre-requisite for baptism. You also finally get some room to stretch your legs and arms, you get to scream all night and keep your parents awake, and you get to torment your brothers and sisters.. All-in-all, not a bad day to commemorate by throwing a little party. Just for kicks and giggles let’s go back in time nine months or so, to the date of our conception. This should also be a memorable day. This was the day that God, through the cooperation of our parents, brought us into being, made in his image and likeness. He continues to hold us in being even to this day. So maybe we should celebrate conception day. Baptism holds similarities to both our conception and birthdays. We are born again of water and spirit. The old self is dead and gone and we are a new creation in Christ. All of these days are worth celebrating in my book, and none should be forgotten. So whichever day you choose to hold the party, just make sure that you are celebrating the complete package.