Introduction
Giving names to storms gives them an identity, a character. In the baptism of Jesus, God proclaims Christ’s identity as 'Son'. The experience initiates his ministry. When the church baptises individuals, it calls them by name into a relationship with God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is also a call to active service.
This week's news
Water is a theme that has dominated the news for some weeks now. As we think about the baptism of Christ, it is another opportunity to think about the power of water.
The heavy rains are still flooding homes, towns and villages, and sweeping away lives and livelihoods. The most recent news is from Scotland, where the threat of further flooding continues. In Ballater, the River Dee has swept away part of the A93 road and has undermined the foundations of the ancient Abergeldie Castle .
In the meantime, communities already affected by flooding are clearing up. It will take a long time for infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, to be restored. Heavy rainfall in 2012 led to landslips along the B6344 in Northumberland, and the road is still closed. There is a wider debate about improving flood defences and making communities more resilient, and recriminations about what should have been done to protect homes.
And let us not forget that refugees are still crossing the sea to find safety in Europe, risking considerable danger – and not everyone survives.
Another feature of the recent storms that resonates with baptism is the way that they are now named. This gives the storms an identity they didn’t have before. When Jesus was baptised in the Jordan by John, he was not given a name – he already had that, but God’s voice does proclaim Jesus’ identity: 'You are my Son'. In our baptismal practice, the candidate, called by name, is baptised into the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, which very much reflects this week's Old Testament reading (Isaiah 43.1-7).
A project commissioned by the Church of England looked at how churches can do baptisms better. It says that we shouldn’t be afraid to call them 'Christenings', which is what the public generally calls them. New resources have been produced for churches to use, and the Church of England has a website for parents, godparents and guests, with information and resources.
Reflection
Water is essential for life, but water is not safe. We have seen how destructive and dangerous water can be. We should always treat it with respect. Water is essential for our spiritual lives, a symbol that flows through Scripture and the practice of our faith; e.g.:
• the creation
• the cleansing of the world by the floods which Noah survived
• bringing the people of the Hebrews through the waters of the Red Sea to safety from Egypt
• baptism by John and the baptism of Jesus
• changing water into wine
• the woman at the well, and the water of eternal life
• water flowing from the temple (Ezekiel & Revelation)
and in many other stories and references.
For Jesus, baptism wasn’t just a transforming, transcendent experience. It was that, but it was also the moment that informed and inspired his ministry; it led to action, it led to a new way of life. This is important for us too. It is part of our service of baptism, but it is easy to play down this dimension. I tell baptism families that everyone who is baptised is called to serve God; even 'little Susie' is being called to serve God, and God promises to give her everything she needs to do whatever it is that God wants her to do in life.
John tells the crowds that someone more powerful is coming after him. This recalls the song of Zechariah, prophesying that John will prepare the way for the Lord. In many ways, that is the vocation of all Christian people, to prepare the way for Christ to come into people’s lives. This includes the ministry of baptism, though it also has a wider scope.
Prayer
Let us pray to the Lord for all those who are baptised into Christ’s name.
For those who have been baptised here in this place,
that they may grow in faith and hope and love,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For those who will be baptised this year,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For those whose baptisms will bring danger and threat,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For those whose encounters with water will change their lives,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For those long-baptised who have lost their way,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For those who turn to Jesus
for refreshment and renewal
in the waters of eternal life,
Let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For those who are suffering because of the power of water,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the baptism ministry of this church,
that we may reach out and welcome families and individuals
with great affection and generosity,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Questions
- What difference do you think it makes to identify storms by names?
- What difference do our names make to us, or the way we think about the people we know?
- How does the practice of baptism help to establish our identity?
- What is God saying to us when we are baptised?
- How do you think it feels when your home and possessions are washed away?
- How might that experience change who you are?
Action
How could you work together to improve the way your church welcomes individuals and families for baptism? How could you make the whole experience better for candidates and their families? Look at the whole journey, from booking the Christening through to follow-up. You might also want to think about how you encourage families to bring their children to be baptised, or help older individuals (young people, adults) to choose baptism.
Does your church use the new resources? Might they be useful in your church? Or could you develop something more appropriate for your setting?
Young People
Make an information resource pack for your church about ways in which people can help those affected by flooding. This could include
• places accepting furniture and other items for giving out to people who need them;
• charities that need cash donations;
• ways to campaign about flood defences, the management of waterways and uplands, or climate change.
This could be as simple as a list of contacts on one side of A5 paper. Or it could include some stories that have moved you. If possible, include some good news stories.
Meg Gilley is an Anglican parish priest in Gateshead. She tweets @MegGilley1 and blogs sporadically at ramblingrectorbensham.wordpress.com.
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