Is Jesus’ baptism is more important than his birth? Argue one way or another.
[Seasons suggests that Jesus’ baptism is more important than his birth because stories of it occur in all the gospels (whereas “birth” narratives only occur in Matthew and Luke—with a cosmic birth narrative in John).]
What did John say about Baptism? Anyone remember the reading from Advent, Matthew 3? “In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’”
What does it mean to repent? Metanoia—in Greek. Not regret or confession or “feeling sorry for doing bad things.”
Metanoia actually means “go beyond the mind” or “go into the larger mind.”
Scholar Cynthia Bourgeault writes that this “‘high teaching’ was Jesus’ central message: the Kingdom of Heaven means reaching beyond black-and-white dualities, into the larger heart and mind of God.”
What a different perspective this opens on a familiar Christian word. Rather than “Change your bad ways!” we now hear “Look! Look! God is inviting you to a new way of seeing! Come into the larger mind, see how God sees!”
So, since baptism is important, and since we are invited in to a new way of seeing—let us share with one another some stories of baptism.
Sharing Baptism Stories (Is there a story of your baptism? Do you remember someone else’s baptism? Turn to your neighbor and share)
Did you learn anything? Any similarities?
A five-year-old girl was baptized one May morning. Later that afternoon, she and her mother were in the yard, the girl playing and the mother kneeling in the flower garden, weeding and watering. At one point, the little girl came over, picked up the flowing hose, poured water in her hand and then placed it on her mother’s head, saying, “You are God’s beloved.” Years later the mother could not tell that story without tears in her eyes.
Through the eyes of Baptism we are named as God’s Beloved.
Through Baptism our eyes are opened and we see others as God’s Beloved as well.
May we pledge this day to “repent”—to see how God sees.
Please join me in this litany.
One: O God, we want to see as you see--
All: we will remember our baptism is important.
One: We are baptized to begin lives of faith,
All: we will witness to all you do
in our communities, in our midst, in our world.
One: We are baptized to serve,
All: we will speak up for the voiceless, we will bring justice to those who have none.
One: We are baptized to speak,
All: we will heal, and not hurt; we will bless, and not curse.
One: We are baptized to do what is right,
All: we will not play favorites, but treat each as your Beloved.
One: O God, we want to see as you see--
All: And we will remember our baptism forever. Amen.
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