We might not remember our own Baptism, but we often remember the Baptism of our loved ones: the joy of being surrounded by family and friends, the good food, conversation, and community. It can be a wonderful event.

But, reading through Christifideles Laici, John Paul II reminds us that while Baptism is a wonderful event to celebrate, it’s actually more than this.

We might forget sometimes, but baptism is the start of an adventure.

It’s where our life with Jesus begins. When a child has the baptismal water poured over her head she is  given a new life, with a new mission. Now, for the rest of her life her soul is different. How? Because now she belongs to Jesus, so the whole purpose of her life is to follow Him.

And the same is true for our loved ones and for us. So let’s take a moment to remember the Baptism of  someone we love and to remember our own Baptism. This is where our life with Jesus began, this is where the adventure of following Him all got started. This is where we are all given true life.

And that is something worth celebrating.