The Lord gives us guides on our wanderings

By Patricia Kasten
Compass Associate Editor

Would you like a Hobbit as a godparent?

The third installment of The Lord of the Rings trilogy is now in theaters, with the series well on its way to becoming the most popular movie epic ever. But it also offers insights into the role of an ideal godparent.

As we celebrate, this weekend, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we reflect on our own baptisms, and, perhaps, on baptisms in which we have been godparents.

Every baptism should have at least one godparent (though for adult baptism, this person is more often called a sponsor). A godparent presents the initiate, stands beside them, hands them the lighted candle of faith, speaks for their suitability for baptism and promises to guide them in the faith - even if, and especially if, a child's parents cannot or will not do so. (This, of course, is why a godparent should be someone who can and will be able to interact in the child's life regularly.)

Support and guidance

On this feast in 2000, Pope John Paul spoke to parents and godparents of the children he baptized that day: "These little ones must find in you ... support and guidance on the path of fidelity to Christ and the Gospel. Be examples for them of solid faith, of deep prayer and of active involvement in the Church's life."

Godparents are to be good, practicing Catholics who are confirmed in the faith and able to assist in the child's education, or guide the adult initiate to full participation in the church. While the Catholic Church does allow a member of another Christian faith to act as a "witness" at a baptism, the person who stands as a sponsor or godparent must be an active Catholic.

"Godparents should be faithful individuals, who are ready to accept the responsibility of being a part of a godchild's life for the rest of his life," explains Fr. William Saunders, a regular columnist in the Catholic press and dean of the Virginia's Notre Dame Graduate School of Christian College. He added that being a practicing Catholic is crucial: "If a person is not striving to fulfill his own obligations of baptism and confirmation, he will not fulfill the responsibilities of helping another to do so."

Like Hobbits, not theologians

This doesn't mean godparents are perfect, or theologians or highly trained in the faith. Indeed, the Hobbit, Samwise, was hardly well-trained in anything besides gardening. Yet, he was a faithful witness. He remained with his "Master Frodo" through a perilous journey and against the most terrifying evil. He is the only one of all the characters in Tolkein's massive story who stays with Frodo through his entire pilgrimage.

"I made a promise!" Sam tells Frodo, "A promise! 'Don't you lose him, Samwise Gamgee.' And I don't mean to ... I don't mean to!"

Samwise, in his single-hearted determination to protect his friend, gives the example of a loving sponsor or godparent. Neither the awesome presence of an Elf King nor a tower filled with monster Orcs deters Sam from his promise.

Moments of anxiety

Fr. Robert Gibbons, chancellor of the St. Petersburg Diocese, explained that a godparent "is expected to give good example, showing this candidate how to put the gospel into practice, and to sustain the candidates in moments of hesitancy and anxiety."

Samwise the Hobbit - whose name means "half-wise" - sustains Frodo through fear and anxiety in the quest to destroy a Ring of Power that could enslave all living things. Sam remains with Frodo at all times - even carrying him when Frodo grows too weak - and rescuing him from imprisonment. Sam even shares the burden of the deadly ring himself, resisting its temptations because of his love for Frodo.

Not an easy job - which is why godparents are chosen for their abilities, and not as a reward for friendship or as a family honor. Godparents face a long, maybe hard, task.

While Tolkein never intended - unlike his colleague and friend, C.S. Lewis - to present a religious allegory, The Lord of the Rings does deal with good and evil, and the need to choose between the two. In the character of Frodo, carrying the ring, many have seen a Christ-like figure, or at least a Christian carrying their own cross.

But in Samwise Gamgee, standing beside Frodo, we can see how a faith-filled and loving companion can lead another person during hard times, still seeing the beauty and potential within that person - no matter how scarred they become. Sam never deserts Frodo, no matter how tempting it becomes, or how close Frodo comes to being consumed by evil. Just as John the Baptist resisted any attempts to claim Jesus' role for himself - instead only pointing to "the light," in the same way, Sam does not take Frodo's role for himself. He remains the faithful companion to the end, helping Frodo fulfill his own personal mission.

And yet, one could argue that, had there been no Samwise, Frodo would not have been able to destroy the ring and save Middle-Earth. Sam fulfilled his role, so that Frodo could fulfill his vocation as Ring-Bearer.

Seeing the light

In the same way, a godparent fulfills the role of guiding a new and growing Christian on a faith-filled journey. In the last book of The Lord of the Rings, when Frodo can see nothing but darkness and the evil eye of a pursuing sorcerer, it is Samwise who asks (prays) for "a little light," and, seeing just that faint hint of light, leads Frodo on toward their goal.

Godparents likewise offer prayers for enlightenment and guide their charges toward the heavenly goal where the Light never ends.