Buried with him in Baptism

In the discussion section of this post a few weeks ago, Melanie, Nancy, and I discussed the significance of colors in China and how they relate to Catholic Liturgical colors.  This weekend's second reading reminded me of this, and I really wish I had remembered this bit of scripture in June.  From St. Paul's letter to the Colossians (2:12-14) comes this passage that would have helped me show the connection between Baptism and death, something clearly seen in Baptism in China since white is a traditional color of mourning.

Brothers and sisters:
You were buried with him in baptism,
in which you were also raised with him
through faith in the power of God,
who raised him from the dead.
And even when you were dead
in transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh,
he brought you to life along with him,
having forgiven us all our transgressions;
obliterating the bond against us, with its legal claims,
which was opposed to us,
he also removed it from our midst, nailing it to the cross.