The Godfather

1 Timothy 5: 1-2 Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.

One of my all-time favorite movies is The Godfather. I really enjoy the acting, the drama, and the intrigue presented in the plot lines. While there are two sequels, the original is still the best. There are some many great quotes that are now part of our modern vocabulary. The counterpoint to this whole movie is the term Godfather (head of a mafia crime family) is also applied to the male sponsor of a child being baptized. The irony there is pretty thick.

Why do you suppose the concept of a “Godfather,” as it applies to baptizing children was used?  I have given this some thought over time. I know that my Godfather was not the head of an organized crime family. He was an uncle of my mother’s side of the family.  And he was also involved in my spiritual life, even though he lived many miles away.  A Godfather, or Godmother should be involved in the spiritual life of a child they sponsor.  There is a reason for this that is quite simple. They are there to hold the parents, and the child accountable and to foster spiritual growth of the child.  If the parents are unable, or unwilling, to fulfill the promises made during the baptism ceremony, the Godfather or Godmother is there to help. Help can come in the form of encouraging the parents to be involved. Help can also come in the form of being the person fostering that development by direct involvement in the spiritual growth of a child. We, at Grace Lutheran, have several people who are stepping in when the parents are choosing to not be involved.  The importance of the task committed to as sponsors is HUGE. To not foster the child’s spiritual growth is just plain wrong. How else will the child learn that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again after three days? How else will the child learn that they have a loving God who actively cares about them to the point of sending His very own Son to pay for their sins?  These are important, literally life and death, pieces of knowledge the child must have. And there was a promise made in baptism to put the word of God in front of the child, to bring them to worship services. That is why there is a plan “B” so to speak in the Godparents. As Godparents the task of encouraging the parents and the child can fall squarely on your shoulders.  And as 1 Timothy 5:1-2 reminds us we “Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.”  We reach out in love and help where it is needed.  It does not take a “Sicilian message” to get the point across.  All it takes is love.

PRAYER: Lord God Heavenly Father, You Word is so precious. Your love for us is so abounding. Help us to share that Word and that love with all who are in need of learning of the Good News of the Gospel. Guide our hearts and give us the right words to share. Help us to encourage when we are tempted to rebuke or use harsh words in confrontation. Let the love of Jesus be found in our words and actions. This we ask in the strong name of Jesus, Amen.