Today we commemorate the baptism of Jesus by John
and the revelation comes forth- this is my beloved son. God’s identity made
known and a declaration- he belongs to me. And because of Jesus we too hear
those words at our baptism- you are my beloved child. And the water fills and is emptied. And we are
filled with God. We too belong to God. But this belonging at its richest calls
us to be emptied, of our egos, and our longings. To be filled with the Spirit
and sent forth to be emptied so that God might be revealed. Trusting that the
one thing we will never lose is our identity as God’s beloved child. Could we
let everything else up to God’s vision? This week I asked people what one thing
they would do differently in response to remembering that we belong to God. And
the answer that stuck with me was this- I’d listen to my heart where Jesus
resides and follow where it leads, no matter how "crazy" it seems.
Normally we walk away from “crazy” or at least talk ourselves out of it.
I know it must have seemed crazy to John. Jennifer
Peterson Singh writes, “Frankly I share John’s confusion when I feel God
calling me. John’s words “Why have you come to me?” are often mine. I don’t
know why God would want me and I don’t know if I even understand what I’m being
called to do. Don’t you wish God still gave us a star to follow? Truthfully, she
says, I probably need a giant neon sign in the sky.” Because we come to the
place where we encounter Jesus and like John we come mostly prepared to think
of our own wants, and for God to fill us up to be more the selves we want to
be. To fill out the picture think we should see. But Jesus comes in a very
different way. There will be a picture but
it’s not the one you think. He will empty himself and then will stand totally
in our world with us, to reveal God and to take root in us. And give us the
example of what it means to express our identity as beloved and claimed and
empowered. As children of God. Loved not for what we have but whose we are.
One of 2013’s new movies is “Philomena” based upon
the real life story of Philomena Lee. Pregnant as a teenager in Ireland in
1952, Lee was sent to a convent to be looked after as a “fallen woman.” She
gave birth to a son. She and other young mothers were forced to work in the
convent laundry, seeing their children once a day. But at around age 3, her son
was put up for adoption by the nuns and taken away to America. Despite being
shamed she held on and she spent the next fifty years searching for son in
vain. Then she met a political journalist who happened to be intrigued by her
story. Together they set off on a crazy journey to America that would not only
reveal the extraordinary story of Philomena’s son, but also create an
unexpectedly close bond between them. Two very different people, at different
stages of their lives, help each other to tell her son that he was her child
and he was loved. The book written was a catalyst for thousands of adopted
Irish children and their ‘shamed’ mothers to come forward to tell their stories
and encourage the many still searching for their lost families. For 50 years she
kept his existence a secret. Because the world’s version of the story was that
it should be erased from her heart. But inside she knew she was loved not for
what she’d done but whose she was. And that he must know his identity.
Lee says telling the story is a challenge because she
normally led a very quiet family life, but now she's fully aware of the power
of her story on film. And at the heart
of it is a message that you are beloved. As timeless as that day Jesus showed
up at the Jordan River.
What one thing might you do differently as you
remember that you belong to God? “Listen
to my heart where Jesus resides and follow where it leads no matter how “crazy”
it seems.” Baptism creates that space where Jesus comes to dwell in our hearts,
empowering the new life that is coming to be. To make known that God desires
not only to forgive but to transform over and over again. Water is emptied and
we are filled with the Holy Spirit and the declaration that we are God's
children.
Baptism is a beginning, but being baptized finds
its purpose in what follows – emptying ourselves in a calling to God's way of
doing things in a world that often resists, but is always changed by those who
seek to walk God's path. God sees our hesitance and feelings of confusion or
unworthiness, but continues to remind us who we are and empower us for what God
wants us to be and to do. That sense of being beloved carries us through
confusing times and joyous times, giving hope and fulfilling God’s vision. Not
just for doing good and feeling good, but the justice and righteousness God
calls us into. Continually transforming us and the world so everyone gets a
fair shot. Reorienting us to become involved, to change the processes that keep
people trapped on the margins of society. Even when it seems crazy. Because you’re
loved not for where you are on the journey but whose you are.
Come to be filled with the Holy Spirit and reminded
of Christ within us. Filled for emptying that transformation out upon God’s
world. This is celebrating what Jesus first revealed and brought forth and
brings forth still. Water and word, filling and emptying. Calling us to let go and
be filled. Over and over again. And we never do it alone, Jesus says. Let US do
this now to God’s purposes. Things we could never even imagine doing on our
own. Emptying, filling, giving ourselves away. Loved not for what we have but
whose we are. Beloved, every day brings
something new. And every day is a holy day when we recall Christ’s baptism and
our own again. May we be filled again with the desire to be filled by God and
God alone, and to walk the disciple's road. AMEN
Take Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory,
my
understanding,
and my
entire will --
all that I
have and call my own.
You have
given it
all to me.
To you,
Lord,
I return it.
Everything
is yours;
do with it
what you
will.
Give me only
your love
and your
grace.
That is
enough
for me. Ignatius of Loyola
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