On The Role Of Godparents

Terrible: Latin, terribilis, from terrere, to terrify, or to fill with fear.

The meaning of this word has changed over time.

To be chosen as Godparents is terribilis, terrible.

What do we mean?

Let us look at Genesis 28. Jacob is in the presence of God. He is filled with Terror and Awe. It is terrifying to be in the presence of of God. Jacob recognizes this, and he crys out, "How terrible is this place!"

"Let all the earth fear the Lord, and let all the inhabitants of the world be in awe of him." (Psalm 32:8)

"The fear of the Lord hateth evil...." (Proverbs 8:13a)

If we were truly aware of God's presence in the Blessed Sacrament when we walk into Church, it truly would fill us with fear and awe.

Being a Godparent should fill us with the same type of fear and awe. It is an obligation of the most severe kind, a terrible obligation. A Mother and Father of a new child ask you to be Godparents. To be a Godparent should fill us with awe, and it should fill us with fear.

Awe, that someone would think we are worthy of such a role, and this awe also fills us with reverence. It should also fill us with Fear, the Fear of the Lord being one of the Gifts of the Holy Ghost. Fear to offend God's solemn majesty.

It is not simply a matter of showing up at the Church, holding the child to have the saving waters poured upon their head, and then going to the party afterwards.

Rather, what has happened, the mother and father have now obligated you to a task, a joyful task, that will last until you take your last breath on earth, and you meet the Lord for the judgement.

It is with happiness to meet the Lord at the end of the earthly journey and say that one fulfilled the role of a parent and Godparent as best one could: Prayers were said, Masses were offered, examples were set, and important dates in the spiritual life of the child were remembered.

This is what it means to be a Godparent, and that is why we went to New Hampshire.