Baptism

As he that sees a dark and shady grove,
        Stays not, but looks beyond it on the sky;
        So when I view my sins, mine eyes remove
More backward still, and to that water fly,
Which is above the heav’ns, whose spring and vent
        Is in my dear Redeemers pierced side.
        O blessed streams! either ye do prevent
And stop our sins from growing thick and wide,
Or else give tears to drown them, as they grow.
        In you Redemption measures all my time,
        And spreads the plaster equal to the crime.
You taught the Book of Life my name, that so
        What ever future sins should me miscall,
        Your first acquaintance might discredit all.

    I thought George Herbert's poem on baptism would be a fitting pondering for this week with the baptism of Samuel Dietrich on Sunday. The poem is found in Herbert's collection of poems called The Temple. In The Temple, Herbert moves from the Church porch through the lintel past the baptismal font, and into the nave. All along the way, his poems ponder and plumb the Christian soul, the church’s architecture and furnishings, and the spiritual concepts of love, death, judgment, hell, heaven, and the like.

     There is a reason why the baptismal font is near the entrance to the nave. Because it is through the baptismal font that you are made new and enter into the body of Christ. This is also why it is called the nave of the church. Nave shares the root word with navy or naval, it is to bring to mind the idea of a boat. When you look at the ceiling and see the exposed beams, especially in old churches, it will look like the hull of a boat. For the church is the ark of salvation: "...in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 3:20-21). It is through the baptismal waters that we enter into the ark of the church and are saved. We are not saved because of anything we do but because of God's promises made to us and the work of Christ in his death and resurrection.

     This is also why the whole space is not called the sanctuary. The sanctuary is the place beyond the altar rail. Sanctus means holy, so the sanctuary is the Holy place, like the Old Testament temple; however, now it is made for all to see. Only those who made part of Christ's body, who are numbered among the people of God, through the waters of salvation, can come and commune with God at the entrance of the Holy place.

     Yet, we all know that we are unworthy through our efforts to enter the presence of God. We need to be reminded of our baptism. Baptisms are not only for the one baptized, for we can all recall the Lord's mercy and grace in our baptisms. We can renew our baptismal vows and cling to the promises of God. When faced with our sins, we can fly "more backward still" to that holy font and remember the saving works of Christ in our lives. In the water, poured forth from his side, we remember his death and resurrection, the redemption of all things, and the forgiveness of sins. Whatever sins you are struggling with, remember your baptism.

     Martin Luther once remarked that when tempted by the devil that your sins are too great you should respond, "But I am baptized! And if I am baptized, I have the promise that I shall be saved and have eternal life, both in soul and body.” We must continually be reminded of our baptisms, for this is the life that we are called to live. We are Christians, joined to Christ in our baptism, let us live lives that reflect our union to Love and Life itself.

     This is what that little holy water stoop is there for at the entrance to the nave, to remind you of your baptism. That water is either water from the baptismal font or it has been blessed in a similar way to remind you of your baptism. So, whatever you are going through, whatever sins you are wrestling with, if you are filled with anger or frustration, be sure to dip your fingers in that stoop and cross yourselves. Remember your baptism and be thankful. A weapon against anger, frustration, and a multitude of sins is gratitude to God for all of his mercy and grace, joined to the sacraments.

     Let us measure all of our time by the redemption of Christ. Giving thanks for his sacraments, whereby we are brought to life and are sustained by his means of grace. And if you ever get some drops of holy water on you take it as an opportunity to use it to cross yourself and remember your baptism.

Pax et Bonum,

Fr. Aaron