HOMILY

LETTER TO THOSE BEING BAPTIZED

IN THE CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER 

Dear Jack, John, Debby, and William, 

Last Sunday was Easter Day – the greatest celebration in the entire Church year.  And we did celebrate with glorious music, beautiful flowers, and lots of people gathered for the Eucharist, witnessing to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  One week later we are having yet another celebration, this time for you.  Today is your Baptism.  Three of you are children, and we also have one grown-up joining the Christian Family through Baptism.  Events like this make us want to celebrate, for they are like a party – a kind of re-birthday party for each of you.  For the three children, much of what we will say and do will not mean a thing today, so I hope that your parents will keep this letter for you to read after some time has passed.  Whatever your age, Baptism is important and wonderful.  I shall try to explain why I say that. 

Baptism puts you into a special relationship with God, and any time we move toward God, we are doing something important.  We can’t see what is going on between God and ourselves, but we can sometimes feel it, and we can always be happy about getting closer to God.  Each of us has a little bit of God in us, again not seen, but very important.  God made each of us and loves us.  We try to love God in return.  One way Christians do that is by being baptized and joining the great big worldwide Church.  We join by making promises, or having them made by our parents and godparents.  Each promise helps define our obligations as members of the Church.  You and God make promises to each other for keeps in an agreement called a covenant, a contract between two parties, and each side must live up to the promises.  God will not let us down, and we vow not to let God down.  

The prayer (collect) for this Sunday refers to the “covenant of reconciliation”, established by God on the first Easter Day when Jesus rose from the dead, our special hope for all time.  Our response to that great gift is to believe and to behave in special ways, not impossible ways but normal, decent, faithful ways that anyone who really wants to can follow.  “Reconciliation” is a big word for settling quarrels or being friends again after a disagreement, living at peace.  In the year 2002 reconciliation is scarce.  All over the world people are filled with hatred.  There are wars and terrorism and terrible distrust among all kinds of people.  God is sad about the terrible things that are happening, for God is all about Love not Hate.  God is about Peace not War, Life not Death.  So it is particularly important that we realize today the need for reconciliation, and agree to work for reconciliation everywhere.  You are an important person who might one day effect reconciliation.  Right now you are snug and close to your family and those who surround you with love.  Your job as a brand new Christian is to keep that happy state of affairs as your top priority.  Your ability to love, forgive, and respect all other people will be a very valuable asset for you, your family, your friends, your community, and the whole world.  

Today you are initiated into powerful covenant with God.  You join countless numbers of people who have accepted God’s terms for hundreds, even thousands of years.  Even if some have failed and not lived up to the covenant, others have really done it.  God forgives us and offers us second chances.  Millions of people have followed God in Jesus Christ all their lives.  They said their prayers, broke the bread, read and studied the Bible, served others, and stood bravely against bad ideas and behaviors that corrupt.   They have told others about Jesus; at the same time they have respected the faiths of other people – Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and all people who treasure their own blessed ways to get close to God.  Being a Christian is for all of us here today the way we have chosen to know God.  And we are proud of our choice and loyal to God through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.  Never be ashamed of your wonderful faith, but never use your faith as a weapon of hate or division either.  Be a reconciler, a peacemaker.  Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers”, and of course he was absolutely right.  If you can help restore peace in your lifetime, you will be a very special child of God.  

In a few years I hope that you will read this letter and learn more about the promises made for you at this service.  The more you think about God’s love and our response to that love, the more your faith will grow and your behavior will bring joy to others and to God, and to yourself too!  As a sign of your Baptism we will soon put water on your head, repeat your name for all to know, and anoint you with a tiny bit of Holy Oil.  You will then be a full Christian.  However, the adventure only begins today.  The test of your real membership in the Body of Christ, the Church, will happen as you practice your faith.  Your parents and your godparents will be there to remind you by their words and their own actions.  This parish church will help too, which is why everyone promises to uphold and support you in your life in Christ. 

Jesus once said that he came to bring life and to bring it in great abundance.  Today you start to gain a better understanding of that life.  I am truly happy to be part of your Baptism.  I pray that what you have begun on April 7, 2002 will stay with you all your days.  Now, let’s get on to the words and actions of the covenant of reconciliation! 

With love from your friend, 

The Rev. Richard H. Downes

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