Baptism is the introduction into the body of Christ, the Christian faith. All members of the body of Christ have at one time in their life been baptized. Baptism is a ritual, which brings an individual from a life of sin to a life of service through God, and welcomes individuals to the faith. Baptism also washes people of original in, a sinful state in which all people are born. Historically it has been administered to adults at the Easter Vigil. The adults who are going to be baptized are called the Catechumate, and they study for several months prior to baptism. Today infant baptism is becoming very popular. This has both a positive and negative side. The positive aspect is that the infant will be able to live almost its entire life with God in the body of Christ. Critics argue however that it takes away the free choice associated with baptism. In many ways baptism is very symbolic.
Baptism can be both a positive and dark symbol at the same time. Baptism can be a positive symbol of life, as it brings people into a new life with Christ, very symbolic of creation. However despite its positive image baptism also has a dark image, death. Baptism is symbolic of death because the water used can represent flooding, and drowning, which is appropriate, because the baptized person leaves a life of sin.
The movie The Mission is closely related to the conversion associated with baptism. The Indians very closely resemble the Catechumate or elect who take part the ritual of baptism, as they learn about, and prepare to enter the faith. Father Gabriel represents the life of loving service one enters into at baptism. Also he takes the role of a sponsor in the conversion of Rodrigo Mandosa who becomes a missionary. Mandosa is an excellent example of conversion. At the beginning of the movie he was a slave trader, who captured Indians and sold them for profit. He led a life of sin and darkness, until one day he caught his brother in bed with his lady friend and killed him. After this event he fell into the care of the Jesuits. Trying to rehabilitate Mandosa the Jesuits, led by Father Gabriel took him to the mission of San Miguel.
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At the mission Mandosa worked with the Jesuits for several months and decided that he wished to become a Jesuit missionary himself. This is when he was converted in much the same way one goes about baptism. In just a few short months Mandosa went from being a slave trader who oppressed the Indians to a missionary who devoted his whole life to them in loving service, to help them succeed in an ever-changing world and convert them to Christianity.
This movie however points out how no one can ever completely change form the ways of there past. This is shown when Mandosa takes up arms against the armies when the village is invaded. The church would argue, as Father Gabriel does, that God is love, and because fighting is not love it was not the right thing to do. Father Gabriel takes a much more peaceful approach of letting God handle the problem through prayers.
Neither of the methods proved successful however, and the entire village was destroyed.
Baptism in my life has a very significant meaning. To me baptism represents belonging to an elate group, who through the power of love can accomplish almost anything. Baptism also to me means being saved from a life of sin and unhappiness.
I was baptized as a young child, and therefore do not feel I was ready to take on the
Responsibilities of being a Christian, and because of this relate to Mandosa’s character towards the end of the movie when the decided to fight the armies instead of praying, and relying on God for help. Often times I rather take a situation into my own hands, so I have nobody to blame if things do not work out, therefore I don’t put a lot of trust in God, this shows my immaturity.
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