Sacred religion: definitions, significance, and historical contexts

Religion

Sacred Ritual

An important sacred ritual which did not seem so important at the time was the baptism of my young nephew. It took place a few years ago, and I did not really appreciate the significance of this sacred ritual, or the importance it held for my family, especially my sister and her husband. Being younger, I was rather impatient with the entire ritual, and at the time I remember just wishing it was over so we could get on to the little reception afterward, where I could hang out with some people my own age. At the time, the ritual of bathing the baby in water just seemed to bother him and bore me, but now I see things differently.

Now, I see the baptism as a celebration of life and of spirituality. It means my nephew was accepted into the Church and that his family plans to raise him according to the dictates of the Church and of a decent, moral society. I think that is important, and now I understand why the sacred ritual was so important. It was not just bathing the baby; it signified his being "reborn" into the Church and into a satisfying and rewarding life. It means that he will have someone to turn to in solace and in need, and that the Church will always be there for him. It also means that he can look to a higher power for his needs and his hopes, and that there is someone there for him who will always be there for him.

The ritual itself did not really take that long, even though it seemed to last forever in my young mind. Now, it seems like a joyful celebration, but then it seemed like a quiet and solemn affair that everyone was taking very seriously, especially the man who baptized my nephew. He was dressed in soft robes, and he held the baby gently and carefully, making sure the ritual did not upset him too much. He took care and he was caring, and I can see that more now as I look back on the ritual. Part of what made it special were the words the father spoke during the ritual, but even more important was the very act of the ritual itself, the symbolic dipping of the baby in holy water that was regal and quite careful and gentle at the same time. I really look forward to the baptism of my next niece or nephew, whenever that will be, because I think the entire ritual will have more meaning for me, and that I will pay attention much more closely.

I think this baptism also has changed my relationships and the way I look at my sister and brother-in-law. Before, we never really talked about religion, and I did not realize how important it was to them, and how they wanted to raise their children in the Church. It just did not seem to mean that much to me. However, after I saw the baptism, I would not say that I got more spiritual, but I did understand my family better and their goals for their children. I saw it was important to have goals and ideas about how you want to raise your children, and I saw that it made me feel closer to my sister, her husband, and my nephew. Now, I have ideas and goals about my own family, when I have one. I also try to spend as much time as I can with my nephew. I want to see him grow up and turn into an adult, and see just how my family's ideals and hopes affect him and his future. I like to play with him, and I hope that he can carry a little bit of me and my love into his adulthood, too.