Sunday Take Out
October 12
A couple of summers ago, we had my youngest, Sadie, baptized at a lake resort where we were also celebrating my parents' 40th wedding anniversary. Like most parents, I was probably more focused on the logistics (Who's holding her? I hope she doesn't cry. Try not to get this heirloom baptismal gown wet!) than on the words and their meaning. So this week thinking about baptism, I wondered, "Why do we believe it's so important to baptize babies, who don't yet understand anything about God or religion? Surely it would be more meaningful to do this as adults?"
Consider:
- Have you ever witnessed or participated in an adult baptism? How was it different from a child's baptism?
Grow
What is baptism?
Baptism is God at work -- through this sacrament, God receives us in his grace, washes away our sins, delivers us from evil, gives us faith through the Holy Spirit, and offers us salvation. As Pastor Beth says, baptism marks us with God's seal, which is a reminder to us that he is always with us, and that death, fear, and despair are not the last word. It is also a reminder that God is working through us to open our arms outward to show Christ's love to the world.
Read:
Consider:
- Pastor Beth says it takes some "retraining" on our part to believe the promises of baptism. What does she mean?
Why do we baptize infants?
The notion that babies need baptism is not an intuitive one; from our eyes, they could not be sinners. But according to the Book of Concord, which lays out the sacraments that Lutherans believe, we do this because faith is a gift of God's grace to all of us, no matter what our age. In other words, we don't acquire faith someday by growing up and "getting it." So the Book of Concord says, "children are to be baptized who, being offered to God through Baptism are received into God's grace."
Read:
Consider:
- God gives us his grace freely, even when we hesitate to embrace him fully. What are some ways, as Pastor Beth mentioned, to remind ourselves that God is with us always?
Close
O God of love, you take the little we offer and turn it to great results. Receive us as coworkers with Christ in the transforming work you seek to do throughout the earth. Amen.
Prepare
Words for the Week
Try this contemplative approach to reading scripture called lectio divina.
Take a deep breath and find a little silence within yourself. Then:
Read the verse a few times with a listening heart filled with unhurried expectation.
Reflect on this question, "What are you saying to me in this verse today, God?"
Respond by talking to God about your real feelings, thoughts, questions, and doubts.
Rest by simply being with God who knows you and loves you.
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