For
Sunday, January 7, 2018, 1st Sunday after Epiphany, Year B, Readings: Genesis: 1-5, Ps 29, Acts 19:1-7,
Mark 1:4-11
In the beginning when God
created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness
covered the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.Then
God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light...And there was
evening, and there was morning, the first day. [Genesis 1:1-3, 5b]
Ascribe
to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of
holiness...The LORD shall give strength to his people; the LORD shall give his
people the blessing of peace.
[Psalm 29:2, 11]
Paul said, "John baptized with the
baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come
after him, that is, in Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized in the
name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit
came upon them... [Acts 19:4-5, 6a]
In those days Jesus came from
Nazareth...and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up
out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like
a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved;
with you I am well pleased." [Mark 1:9-11]
How fitting it seems to begin the New Year with the reading from
Genesis 1 about Creation's First Day, with light overcoming darkness and wind
across the waters. Then the Gospel of Mark detailing the baptism of Jesus which
is considered the First Day for his official ministry, with the Holy Spirit
arriving as a Dove and the Voice of God proclaiming Jesus as God's Son.
Given all that the Scripture of Advent gave
us of John's instructions to prepare the way, and now John
baptizing the one who is more powerful than himself, I
find it curious that Baptism has such varied practices across the breadth of
Christianity. For some denominations it is an obligating sacrament, for others
a rite of initiation and adoption into the Christian faith, some require it to
participate in certain rituals of worship, or reception into a specific sect.
Baptism is required by some and deemed unimportant by others. Many believe that
infant Baptism is necessary whenever possible, many others do not. Some may
offer it to older children or teens and adults for admission into a particular
congregation whether or not one has been baptized elsewhere. And as many
reasons for it, opposed to it, or neutral, there are many ways to achieve it. With water considered a channel for holiness there is
aspersion (sprinkling), affusion (pouring),
or immersion (total or partial, standing or kneeling, or
complete submersion). And for those who find themselves wishing they had
been baptized but were not for whatever reason, there is the Baptism of Desire
- that is, if you want it, you have it. John, in Mark's Gospel, and Paul, in
the reading from Acts, are clear that through Jesus we will also be baptized
with the Holy Spirit.
We are called by Jesus to follow Him,
officially baptized or not, so why not start again at the beginning of this new
year and the symbolic beginning of his ministry? A new day begins. The words of
an old Negro Spiritual say it best. God will trouble the water - stir it up -
so we can see the right place to enter the path:
Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children,
Wade in the water
God's a-goin' to trouble the water
Look over yonder, what do you see?
God's a-goin' to trouble the water
The Holy Ghost a-coming on me
God's a-goin' to trouble the water
From the waters of
Creation, to the waters of Birth and Baptism, Christ is our bridge over waters troubled
and calm and it is He who comes to set our souls ablaze with the infusion of
the Holy Spirit. Whether baptized by water, desire, or faith, before now or not, it is
time to be refreshed and renewed as we begin our own ministry again. Come on
in, this "water" is fine! Let us bathe in the Light of Christ and the
Fire of the Holy Spirit! Welcome to the New First Day.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader:
~ Almighty Creator, in the Beginning, You
brought forth light from the formless void and darkness on the First Day. From
the waters of Birth and Baptism, Jesus came forth as our new Beginning, a radiant
light to dispel the shadows in our souls. Let this be a new First Day, as we accept Baptism in the power of the
Holy Spirit, by answering the call to serve Christ in others and ourselves.
Spirit
of the Living God
RESPONSE: Fall
afresh on us all
~ Almighty Creator, strengthen us to
carry Your voice over the troubled waters of political oppression, injustice,
and greed. Give us the words to speak of compassion, and humanity, be heard and cause positive action in the halls of government throughout this Earth, in our Country, and in our Cities
and Towns. We pray especially
for: add your own petitions
Spirit
of the Living God
Fall afresh on us all
~
Almighty Creator, calm the hearts and
minds of all who are unsettled by illness, physical challenge, or addiction,
and bring rest to those who provide for their comfort. We now join our voices to pray aloud for
those in need…
Spirit
of the Living God
Fall afresh on us all
~ Almighty Creator, we, too, treasure and
celebrate all who have gone ahead and are now risen in the beauty of holiness in Your eternal life. We pray
especially for:
Spirit
of the Living God
Fall afresh on us all
~ Almighty Creator, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt
thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently…
Spirit
of the Living God
Fall afresh on us all
~ Almighty Creator, refresh and grant special blessings to all who lead us
in Your church, as we journey together seeking Your holy will. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Spirit
of the Living God
Fall afresh on us all
The Celebrant adds: Holy LORD of Power and Glory, release
us from the turbulence of the doubt and fear we allow within us, and guide us
to a new dawn of faith and hope, quenching our spiritual thirst in the living
waters of Christ’s Baptism. We ask this through Jesus, Your Beloved Son, and
the Holy Spirit, our Fount of Wisdom, who together with You reign as One God,
now and forever. Amen.
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