February 12, 2012

Fr. Vasken A. Kouzouian, Pastor, offered the “Blessing of the Babies” Service
in celebration of the “Feast of the Presentation of the Lord to the Temple”

On Sunday, February 12, Father Vasken offered the following remarks at the conclusion of the annual Baby Blessing Service held in honor of the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord to the Temple.

The “Feast of the Presentation of the Lord to the Temple” is the Feast where Mary and Joseph brought their baby to the Temple for a Dedication and Blessing. Today, these families present are among those who baptized a child in our church in 2011. They are with us to ask for God’s blessing and the blessing of this church and parish upon their children.

When these families brought their children to church to be baptized, a “seed” was planted in them. It was the “seed” of faith, the “seed” that will grow with them. It is the same “seed” that was “planted” in each of you when your parents brought you to church for your baptisms.

Today we begin “watering” that “seed.” Today, we help nurture the seeds of faith which were planted into the hearts and souls of these children on their baptismal day.

Why is planting that “seed” so important? Because no one can make someone else believe. We all have to believe for ourselves. That’s why your parents, and my parents, and our grandparents, and all the generations before them, each brought their babies to their church to begin nurturing the seed of faith within us.

Because they knew that believing in Jesus Christ is the same thing as placing the “Key to Heaven” in our hands.

Today, these parents are helping their children take another step in believing.

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord to the Temple is the Feast that reminds us that even Mary and Joseph brought their baby Son to God’s Altar to be blessed.

Our Prayer is that:

         You as parents, and children, and families, set your sights on those things that were
         important by the family of St. Mary and Joseph.

         And that you use their example as a guide throughout your lives together. And may your
         family life be blessed and beautiful.

        Today, we re-dedicate these children to God, asking Him to bless them and bring success
         to their lives.

         And to grant Wisdom to all parents everywhere as they raise their children.

         May God bless you all in being the parents and families He wants you to be.

Amen.