The 1944 film Gaslight is a somewhat gruesome tale of greed, murder, and deceit with occasional moments of levity provided by several characters including a nosy, gossipy neighbor.  The primary antagonist is a man obsessed with an opera singer’s treasure of rare jewelry.   

Over the course of a decade, the antagonist engaged in lies and criminality to gain possession of the priceless jewels.  He went so far as to adopt a new name to hide his criminal intentions.  Despite the deception, however, his past caught up with him eventually. 

Fictitious names, double identities, and deceit are common literary techniques used in novels and film.  When characters in stories engage in these tactics, it’s often an indication of malicious intent.  Those fictional characters want not merely to hide their criminal misconduct; they want to deny the destructive nature of their anti-social acts. 

In Catholicism, we use language about Baptism that might sound reminiscent of the novel and film plot techniques mentioned above.  The prayer used to bless the baptismal font during tonight’s Liturgy, for example, speaks of leaving behind one’s old life and entering a new life.

It must be noted, however, that the prayer over the baptismal font has a meaning vastly different from the sort of malevolence and altered identity of the antagonist in Gaslight because the prayer talks about a change in behavior rather than a change in identity. Some ancient religions, and some modern ones, profess belief in a radical change in identity or an escape from reality as the result of religious practice. Catholicism sees such beliefs as destructive of human dignity.

Catholicism’s perspective on human existence affirms the sanctity of all human life.  Rationally, one’s existence, temperament, and the circumstances of one’s birth are the results of random chance but, through the eyes of faith, we see God’s creating power at work in all natural processes, including human existence.  Consequently, one’s identity, talents, and even one’s inabilities are expressions of divine creativity and are, therefore, to be reverenced.  No one can be judged to be evil on the basis of the circumstances of birth or identity; rather, it is a person’s behavior that causes that person to be judged as evil or good. 

In the language about Baptism, the “old life” that one relinquishes in the font of regeneration is a life of sin, that is, sinful behavior.  Likewise, the “new life” of Baptism is the renewal of one’s heart and mind that leads to just and virtuous actions.  Baptism gives one new life, not in the sense of a rejection of one’s identity or past experiences, but in the sense of a new direction to one’s intentions and actions. 

Tonight, at this Liturgy, we will renew the vows of our baptism.  This renewal of vows is a public oath of loyalty to God and adherence to God’s will.  There is no excuse for deception, greed, or violence, but there is forgiveness for all who repent of sin and conform their lives to the example of Jesus the Savior. 

For those whose behavior has been like the envious, greedy thief in Gaslight, or even like the petty, gossipy neighbor, this renewal of vows is an opportunity to reform their thoughts and actions.  For those who are entering full communion with the Catholic Church tonight, this renewal of vows is a start to a renewed life in the company of our parish.  For those who are living the life of faith, this renewal of vows is a re-dedication to follow the path of faith and virtue. 

For all who make these vows with sincerity and fortitude, there is the guarantee of forgiveness of sin.  Forgiveness isn’t something that can be taken in the way that a thief takes jewelry.  Forgiveness only can be received; it is received by living according to one’s baptismal vows – which we now renew.