How does the Sacrament of Baptism relate to the history of salvation?
During the blessing of the baptismal water, the Church solemnly commemorates the great events in salvation history that already foretold the mystery of Baptism: Father, you give us grace through sacramental signs, which tell us of the wonders of your unseen power. In Baptism we use your gift of water, which you have made a rich symbol of the grace you give us in this sacrament. Since the beginning of the world, water, so humble and wonderful a creature, has been the source of life and fruitfulness. Sacred Scripture sees it as “overshadowed” by the Spirit of God: At the very dawn of creation your Spirit breathed on the waters, making them the wellspring of all holiness. The Church has seen in Noah’s ark a foretelling of salvation by Baptism, for by it “a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water”: The waters of the great flood you made a sign of the waters of Baptism, that make an end of sin and a new beginning of goodness. If water springing up from the earth symbolizes lif
