2 years ago

Didache (100) Syria

Chapter VII, 1-4
1. Concerning baptism, baptise thus: Having first rehearsed all these things, "baptise, in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost," in running water;
2. But if thou hast no running water, baptise in other water, and if thou canst not in cold, then in warm.
3. But if thou hast neither, pour water three times on the head "in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost."
4. And before the baptism let the baptiser and him who is to be baptised fast, and any others who are able. And thou shalt bid him who is to be baptised to fast one or two days before.

Note the need for those attending to prepare themselves spiritually as well, i.e. fasting.

Baptism is the necessary gateway to and for receiving the Eucharist.

Chap IX, #5
5. But let none eat or drink of your Eucharist except those who have been baptised in the Lord's Name. For concerning this also did the Lord say, "Give not that which is holy to the dogs."

Perfectly articulated rite of baptism, how is it possible lost connection of fasting to baptism?
Where did it go?

Fast don’t forget the feast.

Given so little authentic patrimony. For fathers made us ignorant.

As parents, to young parents, great gift to fast for them before they receive the Sacrament. A great gift.

Ignatius of Antioch (100)
The Epistle of Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans Chapter VIII
See that ye all follow the bishop, even as Christ Jesus does the Father, and the presbytery as ye would the apostles. Do ye also reverence the deacons, as those that carry out [through their office] the appointment of God. Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop. Let that be deemed a proper Eucharist, which is [administered] either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude [of the people] also be; even as where Christ is, there does all the heavenly host stand by, waiting upon Him as the Chief Captain of the Lord's might, and the Governor of every intelligent nature. It is not lawful without the bishop either to baptize, or to offer, or to present sacrifice, or to celebrate a love-feast. But that which seems good to him, is also well-pleasing to God, that everything ye do may be secure and valid.

Note the preeminent place of the ecclesial Church along with the direct tie to the Eucharist. We note that the Church in times emergency, recognizes baptism by believers, but that is not the preferred path.

Connection to tradition is fundamentally important as we hear of horror stories of old Baptism, including priests, used a formula not from the apostles. Outside the norm, we worship a personal God, their essences not just their jobs.

Justin Martyr (150) I Apology #61 Christian Baptism

I will also relate the manner in which we dedicated ourselves to God when we had been made new through Christ; lest, if we omit this, we seem to be unfair in the explanation we are making. As many as are persuaded and believe that what we teach and say is true, and undertake to be able to live accordingly, are instructed to pray and to entreat God with fasting, for the remission of their sins that are past, we praying and fasting with them. Then they are brought by us where there is water, and are regenerated in the same manner in which we were ourselves regenerated. For, in the name of God, the Father and Lord of the universe, and of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, they then receive the washing with water.

Irenaeus of Lyons (175)
Irenaeus “’And dipped himself,’ says [the Scripture], ‘seven times in Jordan.’ It was not for nothing that Naaman of old, when suffering from leprosy, was purified upon his being baptized, but it served as an indication to us. For as we are lepers in sin, we are made clean, by means of the sacred water and the invocation of the Lord, from our old transgressions; being spiritually regenerated as new-born babes, even as the Lord has declared: ‘Except a man be born again through water and the Spirit, he shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.'” (Fragment, 34, A.D. 190).

On the cusp of Lent as we are recording, Maronite liturgy more profound fast. Laxity with fasting, laxity with reception of the sacraments.

Fasting as a Virtue, article title. Virtue as a good habit. Outside of diet, naturalistic humanistic element. Intermittent fasting good habit. Never have mind, soul connection.

Fasting anchors. Body is hungry, mind is focused even is next meal. Fasting laser focuses baptism.

1 hr of fasting before the Eucharist for the majority of people is not a fast. Longer Hangry. Grace perfects nature. Depravations make us in tune with needs instead with wants.

Loading 1 comment...