The Baptism of Christ 2021 St Andrews Milngavie
Genesis 1:1-5
Acts 19:1-7
Mark 1:4-11
Today we celebrate the Baptism of Christ.
In many ways it seems appropriate to think of baptism at the start of a new year as baptism is associated with new beginnings, it speaks of repentance, rebirth and renewal.
New year is also synonymous with good intentions, resolutions and plans for the year ahead. This year, of course is different: our energies and anxieties are mostly focused on getting ourselves through the first few weeks and possible months!
Once again, we are living under severe restrictions, unable to see each other and meet for worship. However, we must assure ourselves that the vaccine is already being rolled out, so there is light at the end of this tunnel!
At home we have been enjoying the superb winter weather – my favourite – snow, ice and sun. We have had some fantastic walks in the Campsies and Kilpatrick hills, the dogs scampering around, rolling and frolicking in the snow.
In our readings today, we start with the creation story in Genesis, reminding us that this is God’s creation that we live in, and what a wonderful creation it is!
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called night” Gen 1:1-5
In the gospel we hear Mark’s brief account of the baptism story. We also hear about the preaching of John the Baptist. John was a relative of Jesus, a prophet who preached that the Messiah – the one who would save God’s people – was about to appear. John called people to change their lives, to get ready for God’s saviour to appear among them. Crowds of people went down to the River Jordan to hear John’s preaching; they were drawn to him.
There he baptised them by immersing them in the waters of the river, to symbolise that they had washed away the sins of their previous life, rising from the water to a new life with God, cleansed and renewed.
Today it is still the Christian belief that in Holy Baptism the same profound spiritual transformation takes place.
“John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.” Mark 1:4-5
In the epistle Paul is visiting the Ephesians, who seem to have little understanding of the gift of the Holy Spirit, despite the fact they had been baptised into the spirit of John’s baptism. Their understanding was limited to some external token of cleansing without any real understanding of spiritual renewal. Paul immediately seeks to enlighten them by the laying-on of hands in prayer and so evoking the Holy Spirit to come upon them.
“Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.” Acts 19:4-6
This reminds us also that we can go through the ecclesiastical motions, the ritual of repentance etc but it is the spirit that really transforms.
As in the previous lockdown, I shall record on YouTube the Thursday Eucharist.
For Sunday I recommend that you access the Provincial Eucharist.
Tomorrow the Eucharist for Sunday will be available at 11am online as it has been in recent months. You can access it on this link at that time. http://www.scotland.anglican.org/broadcast-sunday-worship/
Alternatively, you can access it by going straight onto the Scottish Episcopal Church website.
I will look forward to joining you all again via YouTube on Thursday for our morning Eucharist.
Please feel free to telephone me at any time.
My love and prayers to you all as always
Andrea
Loving God, bless and receive all who are affected by Coronavirus:
Especially:
Those who are sick and afraid
Those who are especially vulnerable
Those for whom home is not safe or available
Those who have lost their livelihoods
Those who have lost their lives
Those mourning for loved ones.
Amen