China Cat Sunflower said:
No, I wasn't talking about all the foo-foo DaVinci code stuff.
Are we done with baptism? There's a lot of grist for controversy with infant baptism and such, but I'm pretty clear on the definitions of the Church's doctrine, which is what interests me at the moment. I dunno, got any interesting baptism stories? Anyone want to talk about their baptism, what it means to them...etc?
Chris
As a matter of fact...I do
I think you'll appreciate this. But I need ten minutes before I can relate my "sea story"...
edit: Ok, where was I? Oh, yeah, a bastism story. Well in 1988, I was assigned to a ship called the USCGC Basswood stationed out of Guam.
A buoy tender actually, but it was built in WWII (by women in 30 days), and as such was a sturdy platform for us to do our jobs, 45 years later.
She was up to this point, unremarkable in her history. But that was soon to change...
After a week onboard, the XO asked me if I could make bell cradle, with one catch. The bell had to be held upside down. It had to be made of oak, and had to look like, it would fit in a church. No problem, I said. (oy, that will teach me to be flippant). Needless to say, after several false starts, I presented a satisfactory "cradle" for an upside down bell...
Then we the crew, were "invited" (not ordered), to dress in tropical blue long for an inspection by the Captain and ceremony to follow. It was not official, but if we were willing, it would be appreciated. We were not told why.
The only crew that missed the event were the ones on leave...
We formed up on the buoy deck, and wondered at what guest we were to "honor" that fine Sunday morning.
When "she" came down the ladder, our jaws went slack.
"She" was tiny, just a bundle of white and linen. You want to see sailors Rockwellesk? There it was, for a moment, 70 perfect gentlemen about to witness what is rarely seen, and who knew for that same moment, God was among us.
The Captain took his "neice" and baptized her in the USCGC Basswood's ship bell, and we were there to witness. Did you know a ship's captain is a defacto priest? so ordained by the church.
Anyway, after that, the crew was euphoric. See, to have a child baptized in the ship's bell is extremely good luck to ship and crew. It is a supernatural blessing that spreads over all hands, and those present, at the baptism.
Needless to say the stories that follow are grandios and amazing, but that wansn't the point.
For an instant, the "thinness" between heaven and earth was on the buoy deck of a Coast Guard cutter. And some of the crustiest sailors were given a glimpse of that heaven...and it changed them. (me too).
There is nothing more gentle and loving than the saltiest Chief Petty Officer, gingerly holding an infant, staring into fathomless eyes, and trying to understand the wonders of the universe.
Baptism of one affects everyone.
