A Sermon For Baptism

September 29, 2002 

Dear Jack, William, Alexander, Conner and Katherine, 

Of all the things I do as a priest the loveliest and happiest is bringing new members into the Church of God through the Sacrament of Baptism.  While you may not understand my excitement at this point in your young life, take my word for it.  Today is just as important and full of rich promise for me as it is for you.  Because you are so young, all the words we say in your behalf mean only sounds to you today.  So I am writing to you  -- hopeful that someday your parents or godparents will read you this letter and begin to explore the meaning of baptism with you.  This service contains many new words.  So, let’s look as some of the words and phrases we shall be saying in your Holy Baptism. 

The first phrase is the name of what we are doing this morning -- HOLY BAPTISM.  Holy means special, set apart, and connected to the mystery of God.  We speak of the Holy Spirit, the invisible power of God in our lives.  The word Baptism comes from a Greek term meaning ceremonial washing, sort of a bath or a shower. Think of it this way: it’s like a bath in the tub; only we aren’t washing away dirt.  The water is necessary; but its purpose is symbolic.  You are being made clean or purified internally; the sinful urge in you is cleaned away.  This gets complicated because that stubborn sinful urge will keep sneaking back, and you have to work hard not to give in to temptation.  Baptism also involves naming you formally.  Finally, baptism means initiation into the membership of the Church of Christ, the community of believers.  Baptism bestows identity upon each of you five new Christians. 

Next let’s look at the word EVIL that keeps popping up in the promises.  Evil is that negative reality of life, the urge to sin, to hurt, to hate, to destroy.  It is very easy to find examples of evil in our world and always has been.  Evil is the enemy of God’s love.  Your parents and godparents make promises for you that they will fight evil and teach you to fight it as well.  Evil is bigger and far worse than grabbing your friend’s candy bar, even though such behavior is not nice.  Evil actions hurt.  Hateful words and bigotry, lies and injustice – these are some of the ingredients of evil.  God expects baptized Christian people like you to help in God’s campaign against evil and sin.  So we start you out with that symbolic washing away of that urge to sin. 

We also promise, or vow, today that we will FOLLOW JESUS CHRIST.  Your whole life lies ahead of you, and you will always need to follow signs and directions and certain people.  Today we make a choice – to join the long line behind Jesus the rabbi from Nazareth about whom you will begin to learn wonderful stories, and sad ones too.  Jesus, once a little child like you, lived nearly 2,000 years ago.  He was a teacher, a friend, a miracle worker, and he died on the cross to make life good for us, what we call eternal life, free of sin.  Christians follow Jesus because through him we know God.  More than a story, the life of Jesus reveals God’s truth to each of us. 

Yet another vow contains these words, THE APOSTLES’ TEACHING AND FELLOWSHIP, THE BREAKING OF BREAD, AND THE PRAYERS.  Put directly, these words describe membership in the Church and your obligation to do certain things for the rest of your life.  Today is not just a quick dunk in the font and farewell.  We are doing a serious thing.  The promises made for you will become yours, and you will be expected to attend Church School, learn the Bible, gather with other Christian people at worship and meals, have Communion, and share your food with those who don’t have enough.  You will learn to pray, to listen to God as God listens to you.  Being a real Christian takes work, but it is worth all the time and effort. 

Last but not least, I will make the sign of the cross on your forehead with sweet-smelling holy oil and say YOU ARE SEALED AND MARKED AS CHRIST’S OWN FOR EVER.  Baptism, your name, your membership in the Church are not just a fad or a whim.  They are who you are for the rest of your life, and I hope that is a very long time.  While nobody can see the seal or mark of Christ on your head, it is definitely there.  People will know you are Christ’s by your actions, your joy, your love, your work for peace and justice, and your courage in the face of evil.  My young friend, you have a big adventure ahead of you.  The challenge is great.  Live up to the promises made in your name today, and you will bless the world by your presence in it.  Today is just the happy beginning.  You have wonderful families and friends to guide you.  Pay attention to what they say and how they live their lives.  Like them, I love you and count myself lucky to be with you at the starting line on Sunday, September 29, 2002. 

With love from your friend, 

The Rev. Richard H. Downes

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