TAKING THE NEXT STEP
“After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’” - Mt. 3:16
Several years ago we were asked to serve as godparents for our friends’ daughter who was almost 2-years-old. The parish custom is fully immersing the child. As the babies and kids before us were dunked, it became clear we had a fighter in our hands. I vividly remember Lily bracing herself against the sides of the font as her dad struggled to shove her into the water in order for the priest to say the words of baptism. She shrieked and resisted, a joyful and telling witness to her feisty personality.
In the Sacrament of Baptism, we are cleansed of sin, welcomed into the community of faith, and sent forth to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus. Each time we renew our baptismal promises, we recommit ourselves to a life in relationship with Jesus. And yet so often we fight that grace with the same ferocity of a toddler kicking and screaming. To abandon control and trust in God’s plan can be scary.
Imagine yourself standing on the edge of the Jordan, holding your fears, regrets, challenges and hopes. Do you dare to take that first step into the water? Can you hear the voice of God saying, “my beloved, with you I am well pleased.”
Jen Coito