HELLO!

Have you seen the movie “O Brother, Where Art Thou”? The film is loosely based on Homer's Odyssey, set in 1930s Mississippi. Sprung from a chain gang and trying to reach a buried treasure, the result of a bank heist, a strange group of characters make their way to what they assume will be their new life. But the central message of the film will be revealed, "The treasure you seek shall not be the treasure you find." It reminds me a of Baptism. Typically, when I have been asked to offer the Sacrament of Baptism (often suggested by grandparents) the parents will meet me, without much enthusiasm. Yet, after the service parents and their friends will share something in the experience resonated, spoke to them.

According to Christian historian John Dominic Crossan, Jesus' baptism story (Matthew 3:13-17) was an embarrassment to the early Church. What scandalized the church was not the miraculous, but the ordinary. Doves and voices?  All well and good — but the Messiah placing himself under the tutelage of a rabble-rouser like John the Baptizer? God's incarnation receiving a baptism of repentance? Perfect Jesus? What was he doing in that murky water, aligning himself with the great unwashed? And yet…our baptisms bind us to all of humanity — not in theory, but in the flesh — you and I are kin, responsible for each other in ways we fail too often to honour. The mortal, broken nature of our creation requires support, solidarity, redemption. In short, we were made for each other.

New Testament scholar Marcus Borg suggests Jesus himself is the one who breaks down barriers and shows us the God we long for. He's the one who stands in line with us at the water's edge, willing to immerse himself in weakness, repentance, and pain — all so we might hear the only Voice that can tell us who we are and whose we are. We are God's own.

Matthew tells us a lot of people were heading down to the Jordan to listen to sturdy preaching and to pray that God would make them new. It is the original revival-a preacher stands by the bank of a river clamoring for repentance, then one by one contrite seekers step forward. Were they looking for a cure? Maybe they came to the river hoping that a watery immersion would take away their ailments, their hurts. No doubt, others hoped that being washed by the current would provide them with a clean slate, a new beginning for their relationships, for their lives. John seems clear about what this baptism thing is about. To be doused is to be aware of our purpose, our need for each other; and then to heal and be healed.

Speaking of people coming forward…Bethe and I are wondering if you or someone you know is looking to join our church. Bethe is looking for the names of the youth. I am looking to the adults. A few adults spoke to me around Christmas time, about becoming members. I sent them reading material and then misplaced their names. If you spoke to me about this, and I sent you material, please refresh my memory. If you have not yet spoken to me, and want to join the church, please let me know now.

Peace, Kevin

PS I attach two upcoming faith studies I hope you will consider attending.