ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
January 15, 2022
Last Sunday, we had two baptisms in our new baptistery. It was pretty nifty I must confess. Mariah, who facilitated the baptisms, did a great job. It may not be something most folks spend much time pondering, but for clergy, a new baptistry brings all sorts of unknowns. We ask a lot of questions, including: How long is the baptistry and how tall is the person being baptized? That’s probably more information than anyone was wanting, but it is what clergy folks ponder. Tomorrow is Baptism of the Lord Sunday, and last Sunday was Epiphany. In one week, Jesus went from being a baby to beginning his ministry when he was approximately thirty years old. If you’re not paying attention, you might just miss something. According to what we have recorded in scripture, Jesus and John met for the first time at the Jordan River, at least outside of the womb. If you remember, Mary and Elizabeth got together during their pregnancies and the child within Elizabeth’s womb jumped (wiggled intently, kicked, some sort of movement) when Mary, who was pregnant with Jesus, entered the room. Maybe I’m going a bit too far with things, but I am intrigued that Jesus and John met before their physical births, and then they met again right before Jesus entered the water for his rebirth in baptism. How seriously do we take moments of rebirth? They might be in the waters of baptism; after an unhealthy relationship comes to an end; when hope manifests itself for the first time after a period of despair; while reading a book that opens a door we never even knew existed; upon receiving forgiveness we never thought would come; when we finally let go of a burden we never should have been carrying in the first place. Do we see these moments as rebirth moments? And if we do, do we perceive the immense possibilities that come with every birth and rebirth?
Guide me into those moments of rebirth, O Spirit of Grace. Bring me to the other side where I can glimpse new life and new possibilities. Whether it is the waters of a baptistery, the tears of grief or the sweat brought on by an immense trial, I trust you to be there from beginning to new beginning. Amen.
