Two days ago, on the Feast of the Epiphany, when we celebrate the light of Christ dawning in the darkness of this world, as Congress was enacting a ritual core to the peaceful transition of power that has always marked our democracy, a marauding mob stormed the US Capitol building, destroying, desecrating, brandishing weapons and symbols of hatred. We will live with the consequences of that action, and the words and actions that incited it, for years to come.
This is our mission field, my friends, this place of discord and division, where the fire of lies has been given oxygen and the power of love seems not to make a dent. But we know that is not truth – the power of God’s love, mediated through us, can transform hearts and lives. For this was also Jesus’ mission field. And his mission began with this: And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
We’ve been looking this week at Jesus’ baptism, and how each element has become incorporated into our own baptismal rituals. We use the water, we invoke the Holy Spirit’s anointing with the application of oil to the baptized person’s forehead. Where, though, does this piece of divine affirmation come in?
We could say, “It goes without saying.” The whole act of baptism is a response to the Love of God. We see it as incorporation into the family of God. Do we need to hear God’s “I love you?” when we’re bathed in it? Well… yes. We’re human beings, and we need to hear it. Jesus heard it, and it’s not like HE needed to be reminded of his Father’s love. Or did he? Was the mission he was just beginning going to be so hard and lonely and dangerous, that he very much needed to be reminded of his belovedness?
The same is true of our lives in God’s mission. If we’re truly going to bear Christ’s light to dark places and people, we need to hear it too. Maybe God is always reminding us how beloved we are, but we aren’t tuned to that frequency. This world and its messages throws out a lot of static. (Casting Crowns has a good song about that, Voice of Truth.) Our inner sense of inadequacy or insecurity, however we came by that, too often overrides that message of love. How might we hear it for ourselves?
One way is to try to tune in every day – whether it’s a quiet time of prayer in the morning or a step off the treadmill sometime mid-day, or in reflection in the evening. If we can cultivate the daily reminder of our baptismal life and the promises God has made to us, we might find ourselves more often living in, and out of, our belovedness.
We also need to remind each other. No one is called into Christian life in a vacuum. The “noise” around us will always overwhelm us if we don’t encourage and support each other. Who has been good at reminding you that you are beloved of God, delightful and pleasing to God? Who in your life might need a reminder this week? Who in that mob needed a reminder?
During the Episcopal baptismal service, at one point the congregation is asked, “Will you support this person in her life in Christ?” And the answer is a resounding “We will!” That’s one of the times we hear the voice of the beloved, God speaking through us.
God has not stopped speaking through us. Let’s be that voice of love for one another, and for the world, now more than ever.
We’ve been looking this week at Jesus’ baptism, and how each element has become incorporated into our own baptismal rituals. We use the water, we invoke the Holy Spirit’s anointing with the application of oil to the baptized person’s forehead. Where, though, does this piece of divine affirmation come in?
We could say, “It goes without saying.” The whole act of baptism is a response to the Love of God. We see it as incorporation into the family of God. Do we need to hear God’s “I love you?” when we’re bathed in it? Well… yes. We’re human beings, and we need to hear it. Jesus heard it, and it’s not like HE needed to be reminded of his Father’s love. Or did he? Was the mission he was just beginning going to be so hard and lonely and dangerous, that he very much needed to be reminded of his belovedness?
The same is true of our lives in God’s mission. If we’re truly going to bear Christ’s light to dark places and people, we need to hear it too. Maybe God is always reminding us how beloved we are, but we aren’t tuned to that frequency. This world and its messages throws out a lot of static. (Casting Crowns has a good song about that, Voice of Truth.) Our inner sense of inadequacy or insecurity, however we came by that, too often overrides that message of love. How might we hear it for ourselves?
One way is to try to tune in every day – whether it’s a quiet time of prayer in the morning or a step off the treadmill sometime mid-day, or in reflection in the evening. If we can cultivate the daily reminder of our baptismal life and the promises God has made to us, we might find ourselves more often living in, and out of, our belovedness.
We also need to remind each other. No one is called into Christian life in a vacuum. The “noise” around us will always overwhelm us if we don’t encourage and support each other. Who has been good at reminding you that you are beloved of God, delightful and pleasing to God? Who in your life might need a reminder this week? Who in that mob needed a reminder?
During the Episcopal baptismal service, at one point the congregation is asked, “Will you support this person in her life in Christ?” And the answer is a resounding “We will!” That’s one of the times we hear the voice of the beloved, God speaking through us.
God has not stopped speaking through us. Let’s be that voice of love for one another, and for the world, now more than ever.
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