Baptism
Bianca Surwilo
Parents
Name
'Bianca' means white, or shining. It is originally Italian or French as I've been told both. No one in my family is named 'Bianca' and my parents had no connection to the name when they chose it. Originally, they couldn't decide on a name. My mom wanted to call my 'Franchesca' and my dad wanted to name me 'India' or 'Sailor'. They settled on 'Bianca' but now, neither of them remember who came up with the name, since they both take credit for it, which is a family joke. My middle name is 'Margaret' which means 'pearl', so together my name means 'white pearl'. Margaret is my grandmother's name and it has family significance.
Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say to you, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3.5)
Grandfather and my brother, Michael
My grandparents, brother, and I
My aunt and my Nana
Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. (Acts 11.1)
Godparents
My family
Church
Gospel Reading:
On the last and the greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and exclaimed,
"Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink.
Whoever believes in me, as scriptures says:
'Rivers of living water will flow from within him."
He said this in reference to the Spirit that those who came to believe in
him were to receive. There was, of course, no spirit yet, because Jesus
had not yet been glorified. (John 7.37-41)
Gospel Reading Analysis
I chose this reading because, though it is short, has a powerful message that directly applies to Baptism. In being baptized we are united with Jesus. Even as a child, the catechumen is coming to God in hopes of salvation. Now that the baptized child has completed the sacrament, they have 'come to Jesus to drink' and now "Rivers of living water will flow from within him" (John 7.38). This means that now, the child is united in Christ through Baptism.