By Brenda Hopf, Connecting Creed and Life
Editor’s note: For 2025, the weekly Connecting Faith and Life column will be renamed Connecting Creed and Life. To celebrate the 2025 Jubilee Year and the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, the columns will consist of reflections on the Nicene Creed, corresponding with related paragraphs in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC).
“I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ … and His kingdom will have no end.” (cf. CCC 535-546)
Despite being without sin, Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. Identifying with sinners like you and me, this act of humility was the beginning of his public ministry in which he initiated his mission of serving others, a mission that is passed on to every baptized Christian.
At our baptism, we promised to mirror the life of Jesus, actively participating in a life of service in God’s kingdom here on earth. To follow the example Jesus gave us is not for the faint of heart. Should we have any doubt as to what that might entail, Jesus gives us very explicit instructions through his word in the
Bible, particularly the parables (CCC 546). Jesus tells us we can’t merely talk the talk, we must also walk the walk, a walk that is not to be done alone, but with others.
As I reflected on this section of the catechism, I was reminded of the many years I spent in initiation ministry. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is a beautiful example of how Jesus taught his apostles, taking them by the hand and showing them the way. The Church asks us to do the same for those seeking baptism today.
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults calls for the entire parish community to enter into Jesus’ mission by immersing those seeking baptism into the life of the parish —taking them by the hand and personally leading them just as Jesus did with his apostles. An integral part of the journey of one who is seeking baptism is spent delving into Sacred Scripture so as to get to know Jesus and develop a personal relationship with him. This is the reason catechumens are dismissed from Mass after the homily — so they can better understand and internalize the word before fully participating in the Eucharistic celebration. Through this study of Scripture, catechumens are called to accept Jesus’ invitation to make a radical choice — to embrace a life of mission here in God’s earthly kingdom.
Whether we were baptized as an infant or as an adult through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, living out our baptismal promises involves a continuous commitment to grow in faith and love. It is what Jesus did when he began his public ministry on the banks of the Jordan River over two thousand years ago. His mission included forgiveness, serving others and standing for truth and justice. If we profess that we are Christian, we can’t just talk the talk, we also have to walk the walk with all of God’s children, even when it is challenging.
Following the example of Jesus, baptism marks the beginning of our mission — to live as active participants in God’s Kingdom here on earth. As together we talk the talk and walk the walk, through Scripture study, community service and daily acts of love, let us persevere through every challenge so that we may all one-day transition from our journey of faith in God’s kingdom here on earth to our eternal reward in God’s heavenly kingdom.
Brenda Hopf is a member of Divine Mercy Parish.