Greetings!
Today’s celebration of the baptism of the Lord reminds me of the Syriac tradition’s understanding of baptism that Fr. Nuzzi shared with us at our principal meeting. The Syriac tradition teaches that when God created Adam and Eve, they were clothed in a "robe of glory." This "robe of glory" shielded them from their nakedness. However, when they ate the apple, sinning against God, the "robe of glory" was lost, and thus they became aware of their nakedness.
We identify Adam and Eve as the source of our original sin. We also see through their example that we are created in the image and likeness of God. But seldom do we consider that while cloaked in this "robe of glory," these two reflected their divinization to the world. The ability for the future of humanity to mirror the divinity of God was lost that day at the Tree of Knowledge.
The Syriac tradition goes on to explain, however, that Jesus' baptism in the Jordan symbolizes the return of the "robe of glory." Christ, himself fully divine and fully human, was enshrouded in this robe, and as John poured the waters of the Jordan over him, the "robe of glory" was washed into the Jordan and returned to the people of God.
And so ancient Syriac writers believed that through our baptism we are not cleansed of the stain of original sin, but rather "we are grafted to the very mystical body of Christ through our baptism in the form of the 'robe of glory'." In our baptism - our christening - we once again begin to reflect the divinity of Christ.
With gratitude,
Nicholas
NICHOLAS FORD | Superintendent
Office for Catholic Schools | Archdiocese of Seattle
