As preached by Sister Cecelia
Holy Wisdom Church
Ez 36:25-28,33-36, Ti 2:11-14,3:4-8, Mt
3:13-17
When we are
thirsty, how refreshing is a cool glass of water. After an invigorating shower
or bath, our weariness is just swept away. After a time of drought, what a
great sense of joy over a rainstorm. What a sense of awesomeness when we hear
and see the ocean pounding against the shore. All of these are experiences of
the cleansing, transforming power of water.
How often though do we think about how water
holds the power of life and death over us? Water is so powerful, so important
that most people have thought of it as sacred. Most of the religions of the
world have some kind of ritual washing. Psychologists tell us it is one of the
primal symbols in our unconscious, standing for life and death, birth and
renewal.
The ritual purifications of the Jewish
religion in the time of Jesus were a way of renewing themselves spiritually, of
cleansing themselves of any corruption so that they could continue their
dedicated lives. For John the Baptist, the washing in the Jordon represented
not so much the cleansing of sins as the commitment to begin a new way of life;
a life devoid of past mistakes and sinful ways. He was preparing the way for people
to be able to accept the coming Messiah.
What past
mistakes or sinful ways was Jesus guilty of that he needed to be baptized? John
knew Jesus should be baptizing him rather than Jesus being baptized by John. It
is possible that even though Jesus is sinless his humility prompted him to show
his unity with his sisters and brothers, his oneness with the rest of
humankind. It was also an approval of the intention of John’s baptism.
The baptism
of Christ definitely marked a turning point in His life. Jesus was formally
committing himself to his public ministry. His new life was beginning in the
service of His Heavenly Father of dedicated preaching, teaching, and healing to
bring salvation to all of us.
Do we see
our own baptism as an inauguration ceremony initiating us into the church? The
waters of baptism have been poured over us, cleansing, refreshing and dedicating
our lives in service to our Heavenly Father through our service to others in
whatever form it takes us.
When we make
the sign of the cross, we re-enact the ceremony of our baptism. Let us make it
reverently and with thoughtfulness realizing we are dedicated to the service of
the Trinity. Let it be the pause that refreshes to recommit ourselves to being
manifestations of God’s love to others.
Let it be a
meaningful statement of what we believe in, of who we know we are, and to what
we have committed our own lives. Imagine the waters of baptism flowing again,
bringing us new life and manifesting within us the power of God who is well-pleased
with what we are trying to do in our lives now.
For the next
waking hours of this day, for the day after that and the rest of this year
2017, we will be exposed to the daily demands of our lives. We have to make choices.
We are free to choose. Let us choose to have a joyful mind. Let us commit our
days to be loving, joyful, peaceful, to be patient, to be truthful, to be kind,
faithful, gentle and self-controlled. When we succeed, give thanks. If we fail, ask for grace to do better and
when the day is done, rest secure in knowing God’s loving kindness.
Christ is in
our midst!
