Loading...Years ago, I was asked to be the sponsor (or Godmother) for a young woman — a teenager — who felt the call to be baptized.
I am careful not to say that she “decided” to be baptized, because that gives her all the agency.
And, while she surely can make up her own mind about herself, baptism isn’t just something you decide to do or not.
It’s an invitation. A call, a promise that’s offered.
So, the “deciding” is to receive it, or not.
So, Beth noticed that invitation and knew that it was the right time to say “yes”. She wanted the sacrament to be celebrated outside with lots of water, so that all the symbols of the sacrament would be noticeable and bold.
One chilly Spring day, the worshiping community gathered at the Mill Pond (which was concrete lined and about 4 feet deep, filled with exceptionally cold, but not frozen, water).
After the questions, the affirmation of faith (creed) and the promises stated, Beth and the pastor went into the water
—a moment in time when I was glad I wasn’t a pastor yet —
for the thrice dipping in the name of
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
A dove did not descend upon Beth
but oil was anointed onto her forehead
and she was marked with the cross of Christ forever.
She was claimed as one of God’s beloved daughters,
and with Beth, God is well pleased.
They stumbled out of the water and I wrapped her in a towel.
We returned to the Village, and had a little party to celebrate!
Was there something new in Beth?
Yes!
Did she notice it right away?
She felt different,
but that was probably the emotion of the moment, because,
in truth, she still went to school,
she still made mistakes,
she still stumbled around in life a bit.
Did it make a difference in her?
Absolutely! Not only was she — and is she — claimed by God, with God pleased as punch,
but she continued to learn about what impact
that would have on her in every day life.
Her work now, her vocation, is to work for justice and peace in the world. She uses her gift of languages, her passion for people, and her privilege as an educated, white American to advocate for people whose voices are buried and oppressed.
But, even if she hadn’t gone into that work, God’s gift and promise, and presence would have made a difference to her. Never alone, always loved, always forgiven, always welcome.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peter had a vision that included many animals (many considered non-kosher, therefore inedible for a good Jewish man) and a voice telling him to “kill and eat.” That seemed really odd to him, but it happened three times! Three times: all these animals and “kill and eat”.
Right as he awoke from the dream, a knock, knock, knock on his door with two servants there sent from Cornelius, a Roman military officer of high rank. Cornelius, they said, had a dream that he should get Peter, the follower of Jesus, to come by his house for a chat. So, please come, they invited.
Peter went, answered questions about Jesus, helped Cornelius and others in his family in their faith journey, starting his lesson with what have become my favorite words in Scripture:
I truly understand that God shows no partiality.
Then the Holy Spirit fell upon them all — Cornelius and his whole household. So, even though he was probably the most surprised of all, he had also begun to realize that when God was involved, one should expect surprises. And, he baptized the whole group.
What happens to Cornelius and the group?
Don’t really know after this.
Was there something new in them?
Yes!
Did they notice it right away?
They might have felt different,
but that was probably the emotion of the moment, because,
in truth, they still did their work
Cornelius as a Roman military commander,
and others in the household in their various tasks,
they still made mistakes,
they still stumbled around in life a bit.
Did it make a difference in Cornelius and his household?
Absolutely! Not only were they claimed by God, with God pleased as punch,
but they continued to learn about what impact
that would have on them in every day life.
God’s gift and promise, and presence made a difference to them. Never alone, always loved, always forgiven, always welcome, always claimed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Sunday in the church year when we hear of Jesus’ baptism.
Every year, about three Sundays after Christmas, we hear this story.
Jesus goes to the Jordan River where his cousin John
is baptizing people who’ve come from all around
to this somewhat desolate spot,
a liminal place between what is know and what is unknown;
the region around the city of Jerusalem, and the neighboring villages, and the wilderness area.
John is busy baptizing, then notices who the next person is,
and balks a bit: you should be baptizing me!
No, Jesus replies, let it be so now; this should happen this way.
As Jesus is coming up out of the water after the baptism,
the heavens open,
the Spirit as a dove descends to alight on Jesus
and a voice says, This is my son, my beloved,
with whom I am well pleased.
Many questions have arisen in people’s minds over the years about this moment, this event, this baptism. Questions such as:
Why baptism?
Why this point in Jesus’ life?
Where has Jesus been and what has he been doing before this?
[shrug]
But, this much we know:
Jesus is claimed.
Jesus is anointed.
Jesus leaves this place changed, and after a time for visioning,
he teaches, heals, preaches, and loves people in his
radical, welcoming, & apple-cart turning-over way of his.
It’s great!
