“To hell with it.”

"If it is just a symbol, then to hell with it!" was the response from Flannery O'Connor, a Catholic author and apologist in response to another writer's remarks about the Holy Eucharist. 

On this Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, I think about Flannery's words; (yes, I want to be on a first-name basis with this brilliant writer whose books ruin me in the best possible way.) I remember a few years ago speaking with an evangelical friend who told me baptism was merely a symbol of a saved heart and was in no way necessary. …A symbol—merely representing a perceived reality but effecting no real change? Well, if that's the case, I wanted to echo my girl Flannery's words, "Then to hell with it!"

The Sacrament of Baptism was given to us by our Lord—it isn't a human construct of ritual and pomp. It is a life-changing event to the spiritual life, a birth of a new creation, and the door to which all other Sacraments become within reach. The water matters; the words matter; the intention matters; the Church matters…. It all matters and is very necessary to our salvation. 

I went a long time before choosing to baptize my kids. If you've followed along with The Pelican Project, you know I wasn't on speaking terms with Jesus for a long while. But when I knew better, I did better. I baptized my oldest two children when I made my way back to the foot of the cross. They were in elementary school. I didn't have it all figured out; I couldn't answer most of their questions; at the time, I simply told them that this was a gift God gave us that we needed.

This week, talk to your kiddos about baptism. Help them understand what this sacrament means. Help them find the words to share this gift with their peers. If you haven't had your children baptized yet and have questions, I'd love to help you find the answers.

As always, you are in my prayers, please keep me in yours.

-Kelly

Talk to your kids about Baptism by downloading the Pray, Grow, and Serve below!