A
AmbroseSJ
Guest
In the Scripture where Jesus says “suffer the little children to come to me,” it is God’s wish or intention that is taught. IOW, Jesus does not come JUST for adults who are able to profess Faith in Him. THAT is the Baptismal lesson. So the blessing of Jesus was not the same as if they had been Baptized. The command to baptize using the Saving Trinitarian formula was not yet given to the Disciples.Is baptism a blessing? Is baptism a washing a way of sins? Is baptism a marker of a change in one’s identity?
Was Jesus saying that once he blesses the babies, the sinfulness they inherited by being conceived would be washed away so the Kingdom of God will belong to them? Or do you believe the babies were already baptized and free of Original Sin? Or were these unbaptized babies already pure enough in their innocent state to belong to the Kingdom of God without need of baptism?
Is blessing an infant similar to an infant dedication? Isn’t it simply a prayer over them?
God draws ALL men (men, women, children, infants, teens, everyone) to Himself through Jesus Christ. Ultimately, with Faith, they will be Baptized, and enter into the New Covenant, have their sins washed clean away, and be fortified with the Saving Grace merited by Jesus Christ. But not everyone, everywhere is given this gift. It is only by the working of the Holy Spirit that ANYONE comes to Baptism.