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The Bishop's Journal
January 2000
WALKING WET INTO A NEW MILLENNIUM!
On January 9 we will mark our annual celebration of the Baptism of Our Lord. The story we read in the gospel begins with the voice of John the Baptist crying in the wilderness, "Prepare the way of the Lord." It concludes with the voice of God speaking from the heavens, "This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased."
Jesus rises from the waters and the whole world rises with him! Jesus moves from hope to reality and is named and identified for who he really and truly is. Likewise, in baptism we also move from hope to reality. A new identity is conferred and we are told a new truth about ourselves. "Once you were no people, but now you are God's people. Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."
"No people." It's a lie that many of us, through constant repetition, have been battered into believing. It comes at you every day; from other people, from your own mind or via the media. Sadly, it's a message that is often transmitted under the guise of religion. You know what I'm talking about. 'Not good enough. Not pretty enough. Not smart enough, flexible enough or aggressive enough. Not successful enough. Not progressive enough. Not fast enough, young enough or old enough.'
But the Gospel tells us something quite different. We aren't no people, we are God's people! Once there was no mercy, but now, in Christ, we have received mercy. We are a royal priesthood, living stones, God's own people. We're not children of darkness; children of shame. We're children of light; children of grace. And the place that message is shouted the loudest is at the font of baptism.
Baptism gives us a new identity. We die to the old way of sin and shame and quite literally rise to newness of life. At each baptism, God's life giving promises are claimed once again. A new truth is claimed for the one being baptized; a truth which the church pledges to reiterate and share with that person over and over again, so that they might attain to that full stature which their baptism signifies - that same full stature which God intends for us all.
Think of baptism, if you will, as a garment. Only it's kind of like the clothes that your mother would buy for you when you were a kid. Arms dangling somewhere just below the knee! She always bought them a few sizes too big so that you had room to grow into them. Baptism is kind of like that. It's a garment that we're always growing into; always in the process of filling out.
Luther called baptism a "once and for all event which takes your whole life to complete." It happens only once, but it is a beginning point in a never-ending process of renewal. We're always growing into it; always in the process of filling it out, of reclaiming its promises and benefits.
On January 9 of this calendar year we are invited to begin our millennial celebrations by joining our Anglican and Roman Catholic brothers and sisters in a common renewal of baptismal promises. Together we will remember that "there is one body and one Spirit ... one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all." I can think of no better way to begin this year of jubilee and new beginnings than by celebrating the new and wonderful baptismal identity that we share in common!
Remember, the same voice that proclaimed Jesus to be "well loved" at his baptism in the Jordan speaks that same blessing to us in baptism. "Once you were no people, but now you are God's people." Rise and go forth on the power of that word; to serve, to bless, to minister and to share the same gospel of love and reconciliation that has been poured so generously upon you. Walk wet; in Jesus name!
The Rev. Michael J. Pryse,
Bishop
