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Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him.
John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. (Matthew 3: 13-15)
Read Sunday's Lessons here.
 | | Plunging into the Atlantic Ocean on New Year's Day in New Jersey |
I really, really, really would never willingly jump into an ice cold body of water. I've been invited to do so on more than one occasion.
There is a very worthwhile charitable event in Asbury Park, NJ called the Polar Bear Plunge. Organizers and participants joyfully jump with their whole bodies into the Atlantic Ocean. Motivations may be different for each and every person. "Wash off the old and welcome in the new" says one jubilant "plunger."
Insane is the first adjective that comes to mind for me.
One of the bottom lines is that the event raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for more than a dozen local charities. It's a wacky sort of "win-win." People stretch themselves to do something out of the ordinary that they think will be worthwhile and fun. Other people benefit because the participants are actively willing and able to "take the plunge." The first plunge had about 15 people. This year more than 200 jumped into the Atlantic.
 | | Russian Orthodox Christians plunge into icy water to mark Epiphany |
Do you think that's a bit weird? Try this one on. In Russia, Orthodox Christians celebrate Epiphany by jumping into water that has been blessed by a cleric. Their belief is the water has special powers of powers of protection and healing. Ok, here are the physical facts. The air temperature for such events is often -10 or below. You can only guess how cold the water is.
Both of these nonsensible but totally faithful activities make me think about the odd but blessed nature of baptism. Being a baptized Christians means that we're willing to do some really out of the ordinary stuff. Our baptismal covenants beckon us to believe in something much bigger than ourselves. Our baptism demands that we set aside self-interest for the sake of God's will. Jumping into the waters of the Jordan River with Jesus means we, like John the Baptist, need to set aside our human expectations and repent of the ways in which we do not trust in Jesus Christ as we should. Those are some of the downers of "dying with Christ in baptism." Chillingly awkward and challenging, aren't they?
Here's the cold yet blissfully wonderful news about being baptized. We're forgiven. We're inspired to live creatively, blessedly. The Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ's graceful gift offers to us a totally incomprehensibly risky yet beloved way to live our lives.
Former Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold recently wrote: "Baptism, before it is
a ritual of incorporation or covenant of discipleship, is an act of love: God loving us for no reason whatsoever and in spite of all ...It is in drinking deeply of this water that we find the true source of our identity, the quenching of our deepest thirst for meaning and purpose, and the continual vivifying of "Christ who lives in me" and seeks to express himself through me -- through us -- in the full power and force of his love."
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Imagining the Lectionary - Open Handed (Epiphany) by David Perry |
I wonder what it would be like for me to get past my deep fear of jumping into ice cold water. I ponder what it means for me this year to plunge more deeply into my faith in God's love for me, for you, for everyone through Jesus Christ's baptism. Being baptized means being bold. How bold? It's hard to know. Bold enough to jump into the Atlantic Ocean or a Russian pond in January? I doubt that's going to happen unless some other faithful Christians jump into those waters with me. Maybe that's the lesson for us as we celebrate the Baptism of Our Lord this Sunday. What are willing to let go of in order to demonstrate our devoted love to Jesus and our neighbors in 2014? What sort of inexplicably and potentially illogical acts of faith may produce fruits of joy beyond our imagination. What cold, cold challenges will lead us into the dark yet beautiful drips of our baptism even as we come out of those waters to see the presence of the Holy Spirit directly above us.
Let's plunge into such Christ-like possibilities with one another
Happy New Year and Blessings Along The Way, Jim+
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