Sunday Sermon - 3 August
On Sunday 3 August, we celebrated the Baptism of Blair and Madi Rosborough and enjoyed a beautiful service with them and their parents, Tim and Steph.
Today is a really special day and not just because we have the joy of welcoming Blair and Madi fully into our Christian family (because really, they’ve always been a part of it, thanks to the faithful, loving commitment of both Steph and Tim.)
Today is a special day because, just as the girls are washed and anointed, and Tim and Steph and their Godparents take vows on their behalf, we too are reminded of our own faith journey, we too recommit our vows of baptism and we too, as Nicodemus is reminded, are born again.
Unfortunately, that term, “born again” has, for some reason, acquired negative connotations - unfairly and unwarranted, I might add. For how wonderful it would be, how wonderful it is, to be ‘born again.’ Just think about it for a moment…
When one is born again they see the world anew, like opening your eyes for the first time.
When one is born again they are able to recapture the innocence of youth.
When one is born again, a painful past may no longer exist and only a hopeful future lies ahead.
Through these waters of baptism, the baptism that Madi and Blair will pass through, we too are cleansed of our sin. We once again commit to our sacred vows and, like the girls, recapture our spiritual innocence. Maybe, if we try hard enough, even if it’s just for a moment, we will be able to see the world, our lives, with the hope, excitement, fun and adventure as those through the eyes of a child. If we can, and when we do, maybe then, like Jesus tells us, we will see the kingdom of God.
Today, as we recommit to our own baptismal vows, we also commit to supporting those who are baptised. We commit to joining together to do God’s reconciling work in the world - we commit to nurturing peace, love and justice in the lives of the girls specifically, but also to all those we cross paths with throughout our own lives.
Madi and Blair are brought today by Steph and Tim and their Godparents. They cannot yet speak the Creed or explain the theology of what they will be experiencing today but they will be held and upheld, they will be loved, and they will be officially welcomed into this parish family of St. Johns and into the household of God.
And you, their family, friends, and parish community, you are part of what they are baptized into. You are saying ‘yes’ today, too. You’re saying; “We will help carry them. We will teach them what it means to belong to Jesus. We will pray for them when they’re joyful and when they’re hurting. We will show them how to hunger and thirst for righteousness. We will be an example of loving faith and kindness, ensuring that they always know that they will never be alone - now that they are part of our family. “
Blair and Madison, today we proclaim, we commit to you, that we are here. You may not yet understand what it is that I am saying, but one day you will and your parents and Godparents will share this message with you. Your St. Johns family is here for you. We will show you God’s love and mercy on those days when you may feel alone and in despair. For, as of today, you join us and share with us in the body of Christ that is truly made alive in this place.
Now, baptism is not just about being born anew. It is about being made part of one another. As Paul says, we have been entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation — of bringing peace where there is division, hope where there is despair, welcome where there is exclusion. Baptism is best known as the sacrament of belonging, but I think it is even better understood as the sacrament of uniting. Joining us all together.
In closing, I’d like to change perspectives a little bit and circle back to what I said earlier to the girls. Today, we take and renew our baptismal vows along with Madi and Blair. Do you know what that means? It means that everything I said to Blair and Madi - about family, belonging, love - applies to you too. So, in those moments in your life when you are feeling alone, sad or in despair. In those moments when you may have forgotten your baptismal vows, forgotten that you belong and forgotten that you are and forever will be, spiritually united to this parish family, remember today.
For today is a reminder to us all (and thank you Blair and Madi, for bringing this to our attention again this morning). Today is a reminder that we are the baptised. We are born again in the spirit, united with God in Jesus and with one another. When we are able to quiet our minds and calm our spirit we will feel it, we will feel the power of God’s grace in our lives, we will feel the love that God has for us, and we will feel the love from this our parish family - and that is when we will know - by the water we passed through and the Holy Spirit that anointed us - that we have entered the Kingdom of God.
Amen.