This just shows how hard it can be to know what's going on in any news story. There are a number of different ways to read this one: it could be read as a kind of 'magical belief' in a rite; it could be read as part of a money-spinner, as some clearly do according to this quote;
'A close friend said: "The christening was not just a cynical attempt to make some money for her boys. Jade genuinely wants to be baptised before she dies. She is still hopeful this can be done. But time is running out for her."
Or we could take the other perspective in that quote quite seriously. I'm minded to at least consider there could be a spiritual reality about this. The proximity of death is notorious for concentrating minds on what is lasting, eternal, important and loving. If we can entertain the notion that people do turn to Christ on their deathbeds, then maybe, just maybe, we are seeing it here. We cannot see into others' souls but we might be charitable in our first assessments. Jade Goody has said, apparently, "It’s really important to me now that they learn about Jesus" Now that would, in the New Testament, have got enough attention for a family baptism, I suspect. A disciple being someone who is learning about Jesus (okay, loose interpretation, but bear with me). It does seem to me that this is more than just a superstitious thing with 'magic' water to prop up a psychological defence against impending death (or whatever). If that was the case, I suspect the kind of things said would be different: about the baptised getting into heaven or somesuch. But instead what we've got is a link to the person and by implication the teaching of Jesus Christ. I think that what may be happening is that the nearness of death has brought Ms Goody to recognise some important things about life and death and that some of the residual thing about 70% of Britons claiming the label Christian is kicking in to point a way forward for her. I hope her action will make an impression on many to consider their own position. Not because I want hordes of people clamouring for baptism, but because I'd love to see a trickle of people want to explore the person and teaching of Jesus and decide to follow him -initially by being baptised and then by being members of communities of Christward change.
What I'm concerned about in terms of the ministry of sacrament here is actually what happens to the boys after her death? Of course that means in terms of helping them to find their way through their bereavement in due time and good shape. But it also means how to help them draw on the resources of a faith that they may have only had minimal contact with up until recently. Who is to help them grow in that learning that their mother has declared she wants them to have about Jesus? Who are the godparents in the full and original meaning of the term? The real issue here is about faith nurture of children more than deathbed conversions. A complicated issue in this case because of the tragic circumstances. My heart goes out to those lads, my prayer is that the godparental role may be filled by people who can help them grieve and to draw upon the strength, resiliance and love of God as they grieve and go forward.
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