In the Gospel, we read about Jesus’ baptism by John in the Jordan. When we celebrate baptism (as we did just a couple weeks ago at St. Francis), we say, “Grant, O Lord, that all who are baptized into the death
of Jesus Christ your Son may live in the power of his
resurrection and look for him to come again in glory; who
lives and reigns now and forever. Amen.”
I’m wondering, was Jesus baptized into his own death? When he came out of the water, was that his first resurrection? If so, we know there’s another Big One to come (after these forty days of Lent). So, how many little ones might there be in between?
How many times can we be reborn into new life? To die to old ways? To lay down our baggage, as Randy says. To take a load off. To let it go.
We start this season with ashes and hear, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” We are reminded of our deaths. Perhaps we should also be reminded of the possibility for rebirth.
Fire and water:
Fire to create ashes,
Water to baptize.
And if the Spirit drives us into the wilderness and the temptations come (they always do), and we stumble (we always do), we can still choose to live in the hope of the resurrection(s), big and small.
Cynthia
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