The Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost

“…God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself…” — The apostle Paul in his second letter to the Corinthians

This Sunday, we will be celebrating the baptism of M. B. L.! And, as is our custom whenever we baptize a new member in the Body, we all renew our own baptismal vows. This is a solemn and joyous event that I hope we all will be present for!

Within the Christian churches, baptism is clearly a central act of initiation even though there are continuing debates as to how one is to be baptized (pouring, sprinkling, immersing?), who precisely should be receiving baptism (adults or infants), and what is actually happening when one is baptized, but, in spite of those differences, baptism remains at the heart of our faith and life.

This Sunday, I would like to explore some of these differences, but, more importantly, I want us to consider the relationship of God’s reconciliation of the world to himself in Christ and what that has to do with baptism. I hope you will join us! See you then.