Perpetua was one of the earliest martyrdoms recorded. She stands near the front of a long line of faithful saints who held their confession of Christ even unto death. A common Roman practice, one that Perpetua likely faced, was to clothe victims with pagan robes so that the spectators could enjoy a live-action role play of cultic myths. It wasn’t uncommon for Christian martyrs to refuse these robes, opting for the shame of nakedness over the greater shame of indulging the idolatrous blood-lust of the crowds.
This sort of courage is only found in Christian baptism. This water clothes us with the robes of Christ’s unstained righteousness. In Christ alone is found the courage to face the madness of godless crowds. As we rejoice in this daughter’s baptism, be reminded that in our baptism Christ gives us true courage to face all manner of raging beasts which the devil might enrage to do us harm.
So come, and welcome, our sister to Jesus Christ…
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