On the show Father Simon Says, a listener named Jordan asked whether Galatians 4:7 supports infant Baptism: “You are no longer a slave but a child of God… and an heir.” Fr. Richard Simon unpacked the Greek word doulos, meaning “slave,” and St. Paul’s insistence that in Christ we are not just servants but heirs.

That opened the deeper question: why baptize someone who cannot yet speak for himself? Some Christians argue you must first “profess your faith” for baptism to be valid. But, Fr. Simon said, “baptism is not our choice for Christ, it’s Christ’s choice for us.” Grace comes first; trust grows over time.

He reminded listeners that sacraments actually do something serve a real purpose. “They aren’t just rituals that talk about our joining a club or making a decision. They are actual actions that bless body, mind and spirit with grace.” That’s why the Sacrament of Baptism is more than a symbol; it really marks us as God’s own.

Still, he gently discouraged grandparents from secretly baptizing grandchildren whose parents refuse the Faith, since that places a child in a covenant he or she may never be taught to live. Instead, he urged them to trust God’s mercy, pray – even the Surrender Novena – and remember that “the baptism of children is not only valid, it’s important.”

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

On the show Father Simon Says, a listener named Jordan asked whether Galatians 4:7 supports infant Baptism: &ldquo;You are no longer a slave but a child of God&hellip; and an heir.&rdquo; Fr. Richard Simon unpacked the Greek word doulos, meaning &ldquo;slave,&rdquo; and St. Paul&rsquo;s insistence that in Christ we are not just servants but heirs.
That opened the deeper question: why baptize someone who cannot yet speak for himself? Some Christians argue you must first &ldquo;profess your faith&rdquo; for baptism to be valid. But, Fr. Simon said, &ldquo;baptism is not our choice for Christ, it&rsquo;s Christ&rsquo;s choice for us.&rdquo; Grace comes first; trust grows over time.
He reminded listeners that sacraments actually do something serve a real purpose. &ldquo;They aren&rsquo;t just rituals that talk about our joining a club or making a decision. They are actual actions that bless body, mind and spirit with grace.&rdquo; That&rsquo;s why the Sacrament of Baptism is more than a symbol; it really marks us as God&rsquo;s own.
Still, he gently discouraged grandparents from secretly baptizing grandchildren whose parents refuse the Faith, since that places a child in a covenant he or she may never be taught to live. Instead, he urged them to trust God&rsquo;s mercy, pray &ndash; even the Surrender Novena &ndash; and remember that &ldquo;the baptism of children is not only valid, it&rsquo;s important.&rdquo;
<hr>
The best way to listen to the&nbsp;Best of the Week&nbsp;is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out&nbsp;<a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Advertisement