Baptismal Covenant (Mid-week Message)

 

 

Fr. Tony’s Midweek Message

Baptismal Covenant

January 7, 2015

 

“Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples.” (Exodus 19:5)

 

This coming Sunday is Baptism of Christ Sunday, an occasion to reflect on baptism and what it means for us. 

 

The Baptismal Covenant in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer (pp. 304ff.) includes the following:

 

·      An affirmation of our dedication to the basics of the Trinitarian faith outlined in the Apostles’ Creed.

 

·      A promise to continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, the breaking of bread (the Holy Eucharist), and the prayers.

 

·      A promise to persevere in resisting evil, and to repent from sin we may fall into, and return to the Lord.

 

·      A promise to proclaim by word and example the good news of God in Christ, seek and serve Christ in all persons, and strive for justice and peace among all people, respecting the dignity of every human being.

 

These are all commitments of relationship: with God, with Jesus, with the ministers Jesus established and those who followed after, with the living tradition of faith and practice they have given us, and with God’s reign on earth, with our actions and society conforming to how God intends.   

 

Jesus was baptized by John in a “baptism of repentance,” that is, a washing showing a change of heart. Immediately afterward, the heavens were opened and God spoke, “You are my beloved; I am well pleased with you,” and Jesus went our into the wilderness for the 40-day testing period preparing him for his ministry. 

 

Our baptism is also one of repentance, where we change hearts, directions, and ways of thinking. The fact that we offer this to babies shows that we believe this is a life-long process grounded in God’s grace, not in our own natural gifts or wits. Baptism demands that we bring forth “fruits worthy of repentance,” that is, a life course and actions consonant with the promises and affirmations of the covenant. 

 

As part of our preparation for Baptism of Christ Sunday, I invite us all to take a few minutes and ask how we each are doing in fulfilling the covenant. Where are we doing okay; where should we place more effort?

 

With Blessings and Grace for the New Year,

Fr. Tony+