“A cold coming we had of it, Just the worst time of the year For a journey, and such a long journey: The ways deep and the weather sharp, The very dead of winter.” And the camels galled, sore-footed, refractory, Lying down in the melting snow. There were times we regretted The summer palaces on slopes, the terraces, And the silken girls bringing sherbet. Then the camel men cursing and grumbling And running away, and wanting their liquor and women, And the night-fires gong out, and the lack of shelters, And the cities hostile and the towns unfriendly And the villages dirty, and charging high prices.: A hard time we had of it. At the end we preferred to travel all night, Sleeping in snatches, With the voices singing in our ears, saying
That this was all folly. Then at dawn we came down to a temperate valley, Wet, below the snow line, smelling of vegetation; With a running stream and a water-mill beating the darkness, And three trees on the low sky, And an old white horse galloped away in the meadow. Then we came to a tavern with vine-leaves over the lintel, Six hands at an open door dicing for pieces of silver, And feet kicking the empty wine-skins. But there was no information, and so we continued And arrived at evening, not a moment too soon Finding the place; it was (you may say) satisfactory.
All this was a long time ago, I remember, And I would do it again, but set down This set down This: were we lead all that way for Birth or Death? There was a Birth, certainly, We had evidence and no doubt. I have seen birth and death, But had thought they were different; this Birth was Hard and bitter agony for us, like Death, our death. We returned to our places, these Kingdoms, But no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation, With an alien people clutching their gods. I should be glad of another death.
When this time of year comes around and I start reading the early gospel accounts of Christ’s birth and early ministry I am taken aback by the incredible cast of characters there are in all four gospels. Note here, I am not referring to characters as if they were actors in a play because they obviously were real people! But if you were introducing these people to friends unfamiliar with them, don’t you think they would sound and look quirky?
A couple well advanced in age having children, the virgin who finds herself pregnant too, not to mention her betrothed who hasn’t a clue what’s going on until an angel comes to him in a dream. That’s a conversation for a cocktail party is it not? Then, there’s another old couple standing guard in their temple – praying and looking for the “Consolation” and “Redemption” of their people, and let’s not forget the wild looking prophet who ate bugs and wore camel hair. Then the angel appears to the least likely people (but really aren’t they all?) – shepherds who were outliers to their neighbors; and then we come to the story I want to explore this week: The Magi, the wise men, the men from the East.
It seems odd that Matthew of all people would have included a story about pagan travelers. Matthew’s gospel is the most Jewish of the gospels, written primarily to a Jewish audience. This is unlike Mark’s gospel which was primarily written to Gentiles most probably in Rome; or Luke’s gospel which was written to Theophilus, or again John’s gospel also most probably written for a Gentile audience.
Matthew’s birth narrative is pretty brief, and it follows a genealogy which was designed to show the full lineage of Christ – all the way back to David and Abraham. This is more thorough than what you might find through ancestry.com!
And now the story begins! (Mat. 2:1-12). I have to admit, my appreciation for this story in part comes from a poem T. S. Eliot wrote – the first poem published after his conversion to Christ. It’s called The Journey of the Magi, and I am including it in this post.
In the story that we read in Matthew there is no mention of how many of these wise men were who traveled to Judea. We know only that they went expecting to find royalty. So they went to the present king, Herod, and asked him for directions to the birthplace of the newborn King of the Jews. (Now mind you, they had been following a star, but nevertheless they went to Herod as soon as they entered Jerusalem!) This obviously freaked Herod out and as a result, the whole city of Jerusalem was also in uproar. Herod questioned them about their source, and they quoted to him from his own scriptures, Micah 5:2 – “And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.” Herod then summons them, pretending he wants the child’s location so that he too might go and worship him. They leave him, and continue on their journey, arriving by the light of the star to the place where Jesus lay – and I love this –
They rejoiced exceedingly with great joy!
Matthew 2:10
Can’t get much more joy there.
All good stories have a purpose and a meaning that crosses lines – generational, cultural, and time. And the story of these pagan philosophers reveals just how far the kingdom of God will reach. Matthew, our devout Jewish storyteller, tells the world that the Messiah will open his arms not only to his people, but to the rest of the world as well. I’m reminded of the compline prayer, known as the Nunc Dimittis, which is the prayer of Simeon after his blessing of Jesus. “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, for my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the sight of all people, to be a light to enlighten the Gentiles (nations) and to be the glory of your people, Israel.”
In Eliot’s poem the first lines are so compelling to me, – “a cold coming we had of it, just the worst time of the year for a journey, and such a long journey.” They’ve left the far country – albeit it their home – but they’ve set out to find the One, the only One who can truly reign as God meant for rulers to reign. As the journey continues, they find themselves in a temperate place, warm, smelling of vegetation. And they pass “three trees on the low sky.” The far country from which they came, cold and bitter, has been left behind, and has become a path of new life and fertile growth.
We know someone else who left the far country. Remember the son in the story about riches and waste, family, and pigs? He left home, to find a home (where he fit in, where he was free!) but found himself cold, hungry, and lonely. He, like our pagans, left that far country and started his journey home. In Eliot’s poem, at the end, he writes that the wise men returned to their kingdoms, but now without peace or ease – only wishing for death – but what kind of death? Eliot hints that the death they now seek is a death to their extravagances, their impoverished riches. And who was the prodigal in the son’s story? Who was reckless and immeasurably generous? It was of course, the Father, as it was the Christ in our story from Matthew. God is always the extravagant lover. He is always the one seeking, leaving the safety of his heavenly kingdom to bring to us “great tidings of comfort and joy.
The words of the writer of Hebrews comes to mind here – chapter 11 – the hall of fame for those of faith. All the writer speaks about here are those who left the safety of “home” but who did not receive their full inheritance. But that didn’t matter – for
If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
Hebrews 11:13-16
So, in our own travels from the far country – the place of exile, or dis-location, what have we left behind? and what do we bring to the One who welcomes us with lavish goodness? I find that so many times I cling to that far country because it’s familiar, it’s known. But is it? I know that as I press forward turning homeward, the anxieties, or fears, or bitterness or scorn have no hold on me. And how could I not, how could we not – leave that far country and turn our faces toward the only real home we will ever hold onto?
One more thought – and it’s a quote from a novel written by one of my favorite authors, Elizabeth Goudge. – “The love of God is with man…That Nicolas knew suddenly, is the news of the far country, the mystery like a nugget of gold that men travel so far to seek, the fact that is stated but not explained by all the pictures that have been painted and by all the music and poetry that has been written since the dawn of the world. It was as easy as that and as difficult.” In this quote, the far country for Nicolas was the journey home to God.
While our story stops here – Herod’s story does not. Read Mat. 2:16-18 to see what Herod’s terror leads him to do. Grapple with this account. Pray about it, take it in. It’s a far cry from, “the poor baby wakes, no crying he makes.” This is the kind of crucible that can shape our Christian formation.
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done. On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread, And forgive us our sins, As we forgive those who have sinned against us. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, And the glory, forever. Amen.
Our Father in heaven, we hallow Your name. On this day we celebrate that Christ, Your son, began that identification with us that would take him to the Cross. We pray for the completion of Your kingdom, that all that needs to happen here for Your will to be done would be accomplished in your time. Each day, Lord, give us spiritual nourishment to strengthen us for the days to come. Forgive us for all the ways we have sinned against You and others and give us immeasurable grace to forgive others. Keep us, Father from all that would draw us away from our baptism, all evil and temptation, that we may, with all the company of saints, worship You and give You all the glory and honor due Your name.
Repentance is thus the return of our love, of our life, to God, and this return is possible in Christ because He reveals to us true Life and makes us aware of our exile and condemnation. To believe in Christ is to repent – to change radically the very “mind” of our life, to see it as sin and death. And to believe in Him, is to accept the joyful reconciliation that in Him forgiveness and reconciliation have been given. In baptism both repentance and forgiveness find their fulfillment. In baptism man wants to die as a sinful man and be given that death and in baptism man wants the newness of life as forgiveness, and he is given it. A. Schmemann
As we contemplate the power of Christ’s identification with us in His baptism, may the Spirit show us any way that we have not honored His baptism; any way that our reluctance to let go of sin has had a hold on us.
Start by centering your heart in God’s presence… Give thanks to Him that He through His baptism began the process of fully identifying with us so that He could offer his life for ours. Affirm that He is faithful and good, and his mercy and grace are “new every morning.” The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness” (Lam. 3:22-23).
Now let Him begin the process of searching your heart. Are there ways you have not honored Christ this week? Where were your thoughts and desires not centered in Him? How have you failed in obedience to Christ?
Then, simply confess specifically what the Holy Spirit is showing you. Don’t rush through this process. Simply rest in God’s presence as He does this.
Now choose to let this go and receive the truth of this passage: “I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste. Let him lead me to the banquet hall and let his banner over me be love”. If you have confessed a stronghold of fear or complacency receive Christ’s forgiveness for you. Remember – “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
And finally commit this confession to the Lord. As you rest in his grace and mercy ask Him how to walk this out. Ask for the supernatural power of His Spirit to give you what you need to move forward. Thank Him that you “have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer [you] who live, but Christ lives in [you]” (Gal. 2:20).
Then I finally admitted to you all my sins, refusing to hide them any longer. I said, “My life-giving God, I will openly acknowledge my evil actions. And you forgave me! All at once the guilt of my sin washed away and all my pain disappeared!”
Mat 3:13-17 – 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Step One – Read the passage slowly, attentively. Allow yourself to be taken in by the words – pay attention to any word or phrase that strikes you in the passage. (If you haven’t studied this passage, you may find this first reading will stir observation questions in you – such as who, what when, where, and how).
Step Two – Read it again. Meditate and reflect on the passage. What is it in your life that needs to hear that word or phrase? Sit in silence for a time, attending to the thoughts, images and impressions that begin to come to you. Turn that into prayer.
Step Three – What is God saying to you? What do you begin to feel called to?
Step Four – How does God want you to live this passage out? What are you resolved to do?
Lectio Quote
In his baptism in the Jordan and in His subsequent ministry, the Son of God descended into the human condition to the very depths so that He might fill all things with Himself. And after his descent, He ascended into the heavens, taking us with Him into the presence of God and giving us gifts for the sake of service. Thomas Hopko, Winter Pascha
You can go through the same steps that we use for Lectio Divina for Scripture, or simply take some time and read this quote slowly and seek the Spirit’s help to discern how this passage might bring new revelation to your own baptism.
John 1:29-34 29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”
There are accounts of Jesus’ baptism in all four gospels – and they all carry the individual author’s unique perspective. I love the gospel of Mark’s version where he just skips over the birth narrative and jumps right into the deep stuff! Matthew’s account is descriptive, and he and Luke are the ones who say that Jesus will come to baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire! Matthew’s rendering shows the reason for His baptism: “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” (Mat 3:15). John’s gospel begins with the most profound statement in these accounts. “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!” In fact, John says it twice, once right before he baptized Jesus and the other a day later.
You can imagine the reaction of the crowd as they heard this proclamation from John. It might be foreign to our ears, but it certainly was not to theirs. They would have known this was a reference to the Passover lamb. This was the sacrifice made for the remission of sin. Passover is the feast instituted after the Lord saved the Jews in Egypt. Part of this commemoration was that they were told to put the blood of slaughtered lambs over their doors.
So, from the very beginning, at the pivotal point in his moving from obscurity into ministry and death this phrase describes his future. But John in pointing out the difference between his baptism and Jesus’ makes a noticeably clear point – this was “not only an event that happened to Jesus, but one that happens to us. It defines our spirituality and gives impetus to the kind of people we were to become.” (Robert Webber).
John’s baptism gave the commandment to repent, but it was powerless to absolve sins. Wherefore did John did also say: “I baptize you with water…that One however will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Mat. 3:11).
St. John of Chrysostom
“In his baptism in the Jordan and in His subsequent ministry, the Son of God descended into the human condition to the very depths so that He might fill all things with Himself. And after his descent, He ascended into the heavens, taking us with Him into the presence of God and giving us gifts for the sake of service”. Thomas Hopko
So, let us go to the text (John 1:29-34) at the beginning of this post and enter into it as if we were there. and receive what the Holy Spirit has for us as we do this.
If I were standing with John and saw Jesus coming towards me, what would I notice? Would there be a certain aura about how he walked or profundity in what he said? What would be my reaction when John says this – “Behold this is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” I stand at the water of the river of Jordan and listen as John says “No – I am unworthy to do this.” But Jesus steps into the water. As he comes out of the water two incredible things happen – this whole experience is what theologians call a theophany – a revelation of God – but what did John see and hear? He saw a dove hover over and rest on Jesus – and John knew it as the Holy Spirit – and it remained on him. Then, “And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Mar 1:11 ESV) Would I have heard it too? Did the others standing around the water hear? Would we have heard the Father’s voice? – Perhaps, or maybe not. But if we had heard the Father, or seen the Spirit – we would have had the first glimpse in the New Testament of the Trinity.
We know that Christ was not baptized for his sin – there was no repentance needed here. But He demonstrated here that his baptism would be a baptism into death and from that into resurrection life! He revealed long before Calvary that he was going to die for the sins of the world. His baptism was a baptism of identification. And it was a baptism unto death – and thus is his baptism and the cross forever linked. And so is ours. Like our Savior who did this for us, we take to the waters of baptism, and we die to Satan and to our own sins. We take our place in His death. And as we come up out of the waters – we take our place in his resurrection – forever now marked by this identification with Christ. Alleluia!
There is no other baptism for us. And this is a taste of the fire that John describes in Matthew 3. This theophany of Christ has now become our “Epiphany.”
There is another baptism which Jesus speaks to in Mark 10. In responding to the disciples who wanted to be at Christ’s side in glory he says to them: “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized… (Mar 10:38-39 ESV) And this time their baptism will end in death. But the shattering thing about this is that because of their own baptisms in Christ, this baptism into literal death they will do with joy. They are now indwelt by the Spirit of Christ, and death has now no hold on them, as it had no hold on their Savior (Acts 2:24).
So how are we to enter into the baptism of Jesus?
Leave the desert, that is to say, sin. Cross the Jordan. Hasten toward life according to Christ, toward the earth which bears the fruit of joy, where run, according to the promise, streams of milk and honey. Overthrow Jericho, the old dwelling place, do not leave it fortified.
St Gregory of Nyssa
“Can we not be washed in any river and be clean? God’s answer is No. Only in the Jordan in the baptism of Christ are we cleansed from all our sins. Only through the Jordan do we enter the land of the living, the promised land of God’s kingdom. Only by the sanctified waters of the Jordan does God sanctify us forever”. (Robert Webber and Thomas Hopko) (Thank you for enduring my slip into metaphor!)
I pray, friends, in this season and the seasons to follow, that we will reflect on the meaning of Christ’s baptism and that God the Holy Spirit will grant us revelation after revelation of this amazing reality. May our hearts cry, alongside John’s “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
O God, by the leading of a star, you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.
Preface to Epiphany, Book of Common Prayer
Years ago, I went to Hawaii with a dear friend. She had been given the opportunity to stay at a house right on the beach – a beautiful place to be, especially at night. We would sit out on the lanai late at night sometimes and watch the stars. It was incredible, like nothing I had ever seen before. I don’t think I had ever been anywhere that there wasn’t some form of man-powered light. I read something while we were there about the protests against adding more hotels, restaurants, etc.…which would bring more man-made light to the island (We were staying on the big island, Hawaii). They called it light pollution.
Perhaps you’ve had a similar experience. I imagine there are places especially in the Southwest, here in the States, where you can go out into the desert and never see a man-made light. How glorious that experience is!
We see in the Scriptures how often glory is associated with light.
Isa 60:1 – “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. “
Rev. 21:23 – ” And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.”
Heb. 1:3 – “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.”
We cannot plumb the mysteries of these scriptures (and others!) through mere study. Only through revelation will the truth go deep into our souls. Only through the manifestation of Christ to us through the Holy Spirit will we truly enter the story of God and our salvation. I became a Christian in college and had a genuine and devout faith. But ten years later, while attending my first Pastoral Care Ministries conference, I had a life-changing experience. I had faith. I knew God loved me, I knew the place of Christ’s death for me. But the only way I can describe what happened to me at that conference is that I woke up. C.S. Lewis says
It is waking that understands sleep, and not sleep that understands waking
C.S. Lewis, Perelandra
As from a deep sleep I woke to the knowledge that Christ loved and died for me. In French there are two words for knowledge (as there is in Greek): le savoir and la connaissance. The first is related to learning, scholarship… and the latter to an intimate knowledge – knowledge by experience. My knowledge of God moved from knowledge about Him to knowledge of Him. It was epiphany.
Epiphany means manifestation, or revelation. I love this definition: “a sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something, or an intuitive grasp of reality through a simple or striking event; an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure or a revealing scene or moment” (compellingtruth.org).
Isaac Newton had an epiphany through an experience with an apple. The disciples who were with Jesus at the transfiguration had an epiphany. And look at Paul’s epiphany in Acts 9. Christ appeared to him, on his journey to have more Christians killed. Jesus revealed not only his glory, but the egregious sins he had committed against the Church. And he was made blind, in order to see. Every Christian who holds to the Scriptures as the Word of God has been changed as well.
I was having a discussion with a very good friend of mine about when she came to know Christ. And for her, it was very young. In many ways, she never knew a time when she was unaware of God’s love for her. She described sitting in church one day, as a young girl, and listening to the sermon. The children in her Sunday School class were sitting beside her and they were restless and bored. But she took the preacher’s words into her heart and cried out (silently!) – “why aren’t they hearing this”? She was captured not only by the words but by the wooing of Christ to come to Him. For her, this was one of many epiphanies throughout her life.
We had been talking about someone very close to her who had been making difficult and bad choices in her life. And I was thinking how best to pray for her. I was in the process of working on this reflection I thought – Oh Lord – she needs a revelation of You – of Your love for her, of the length to which You went to rescue her. Sometimes that’s the best prayer we can ever pray for others. They might need rescuing from the darkness of this world, or from sickness, or from evil. We may know their needs, but if it comes down to it – the prayer we all need is: “Lord reveal yourself.” Why not take these few weeks of Epiphany and do just that. Dietrick Bonhoeffer wrote in his book Life Together – “Better to speak to God about a brother, than to a brother about God.” (Now context here is a big help – if you’re confused by this, read Life Together!)
Ask God to show you who in your life needs to come present to their loving, gracious God. And then pray – “Lord, may they (along with us) wake up from the kind of slumber that numbs, that defends against love. Lord, let your favor rest on them, your shalom peace which of course is the countenance of your grace, your love.”
I’m so grateful to theologians like Hans Urs Von Balthasar because they give birth to thoughts that I doubt would have come to me on their own. He writes: “Whatever could we say to God if he himself had not taken the first step in communicating and manifesting himself to us in his word, so that we have access to him and fellowship with him? For we have been permitted to glimpse his inner nature, to enter into it, into the inner core of eternal truth; bathed in the light which radiates upon us from God, we ourselves become light and transparent before him.” Von Balthasar
And it’s there that we find ourselves in 2 Corinthians 3:18 – “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
All glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost! Amen.
As you reflect (no pun intended!) on the revelation of Christ to His people, take a few minutes and listen to this song by Audrey Assad.
I’ve wanted to write for several days now about a practice I’ve engaged in over the last few years. It’s become a pretty popular exercise, and you’ll find all kinds of information out there on the world wide web! I was probably first exposed to it through using a planner created by Sacred Ordinary Days. The idea goes back to the 6th century when a monk named Benedict developed it for his monastery. I’m not going to go into much detail here but google it and find what you can, if you’re interested.
What I do want to say is that a rule of life is not a set of resolutions, or a mission statement or a set of rules. It is not a list of things that need to be done; it’s about ways we are called to live. Rule refers to measure not regulation. This past year I sat with the idea for several months, and let it simply emerge out of my relationship with God, and some things He was calling me to.
“It is a commitment to live in a certain way. It is created with prayer and discernment as we consider the way God made us and the unique ways we are invited to partner with God in kingdom building” (Sacred Ordinary Days).
“It helps us to stay connected to God in the present moment by noticing the now – not by adding disciplines to an already busy life but by becoming conscious of God in what we are already doing. Our part is to remain available, to listen, to observe, to act, to be. This enables us to remain spiritually alive – mindful of God’s presence with us” (Northumbria Community).
The rule of life is descriptive not prescriptive. Henri Nouwen said this about it – “it does not prescribe, it invites, it does not force, but guides.”
So that’s a quick view into the idea – and you will find all kinds of different ways to create your rule of life, should you choose to do it. I did not start 2023 with a clear idea of what I wanted here – but a few things directed me toward what I wanted it to do.
…regla, a feminine noun, carries gentle connotations;
a sign post, a railing, something that gives me support
as I move forward in my search for God.
Esther de Waal
The first was this definition by Esther de Waal. – I loved that she refers to it as a feminine noun (whereas I think of mission statements as being more masculine in tone – not bad, just very action oriented!).
I knew I wanted something to measure my intentions by and I loved the picture of a signpost. One of the ways I’m wired is that I’m not a details sort of person; I’m more drawn to the big picture. I’m much more likely to tell you how to get somewhere by giving you landmarks, not mile markers! The relevance here is that I am more drawn to symbols (pictures) than instructions. But that’s not true of all of us is it? We may all approach this idea of a rule of life differently. My only recommendation is that we keep it “being” centered, not “doing” centered.
Secondly, I found what I needed in a word by Alexander Schmemann, as I was reading Of Water and the Spirit during Lent last year. It says it all for me… well maybe not all, as you’ll see in a minute. But this quote by him changed the way I started each day.
…that he may remain faithful to his baptism, living by it, making it always the source and the power of his life, a constant judgment, criterion, inspiration, rule of life.
Alexander Schmemman, Of Water and the Spirit
I will explore this more in our journey through Lent (if you stick around for that). The pastoral schools led by Leanne Payne, were, from her perspective, a school of baptism; a preparation for and an affirmation of our baptisms! And they truly were. In some liturgical traditions, this is what the season of Lent is about: helping prepare converts for baptism (which happens on Easter). And I thought – what a way to approach Lent! To spend those weeks affirming my baptism by asking the question – “how will I live out my baptism today?” I’ve been trying to do that on a regular basis throughout the whole year. But “Into Our Bones” for the season of Lent will pursue this in a very intentional manner.
Last year, sometime around June or July – I felt I had a sense of what God was calling me to do in creating a rule of life. I had been praying and reading – and found a few scriptures that were really relevant to the season I was in. (Some people take one word for the whole year – and it becomes something like a rule of life). I had a few quotes, a prayer, and a few questions. As I approach 2024, I’m finding it easier to formulate something that will serve as a signpost for my journey through the year. I’ll share them here.
Schmemann’s quote on baptism is right up there for me. As I ask the question (daily, weekly??) “how will I live out my baptism today?” I know it will include confession, repentance, forgiveness, joy, death, resurrection! So many things…
I’ve also been led to a Scripture passage for 2024 – 2 Peter 1:3 – His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence… (ESV) I know for me I desire to live more fully from Christ’s incarnation in me!
I’ve found a quote that is meaningful to me:
Above all else, trust in the slow work of God.
Pierre Teilhard
And then a prayer – Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides, sustains, sanctifies, aids every hour, that I may not be one moment apart from thee, but may rely on thy Spirit to supply every thought, speak in every word, direct every step, prosper every work, build up every mote of faith, and give me a desire to show forth thy praise; testify thy love, advance thy kingdom. I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year, with thee, O Father, as my harbor, thee, O Son, at my helm, thee, O Holy Spirit, filling my sails. The Valley of Vision (a compilation of Puritan Prayers), Arthur Bennett.
A word God gave me at Cedar Springs last year was about how He wanted me to use the years left to me (I know… I’m not that old!) My calling in this season of life is to share the wisdom God has carved out of me (carved into me) through His sanctifying work – whether in joy or sorrow, suffering or peace, absence or presence. Identifying your calling in the season you are in provides a great signpost not only to your intentions but to the decisions you make about how you spent your time, your resources.
And finally, this question has been on my heart for the last few years – Dealing with chronic pain, being prayed for, being willing to be prayed for when the answers have not gone the way I’ve wanted, have made me wrestle with this question: “What is the posture toward pain that God is calling me to?” It’s an unsettling, deep and profound question because I have to approach it in honesty and humility. It causes me to “reason together with the Lord” (Isa. 1:18).
Let me summarize -a rule of life is simply a way to stay aligned with what God is calling you to become, not a way to measure what you’ve done. It’s a marker, a signpost. It can include all measure of things. A question, a song, a Scripture, a prayer… Whatever God leads you to! I have found there is no end to the resources out there. I’m reminded of part of St. Patrick’s Breastplate. It would make a great signpost or rule of life.
I arise today Through the strength of Christ’s birth and His baptism, Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial, Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension, Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.
I could say more, but I won’t! Let me leave you with this as you consider a rule of life, and I’m including myself in it.
May it start in us through the song God has sung over us through all our days. May it spring from a place of hunger, and a desire for transformation that can only result in our becoming like Him. May we be resolute in casting off any hindrance, any sin, any relationship that inhibits His sanctifying work in us. May we live out our baptisms every day. From the moment we wake up to the moment we fall asleep may we remember to take our place in His death and in His resurrection – through prayer, through confession, through practicing His presence, through virtue, and through love.
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done. On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread, And forgive us our sins, As we forgive those who have sinned against us. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, And the glory, forever. Amen.
Father, you have given us the honor of knowing You as Abba, dear Father, and for that we are eternally grateful. We bless Your holy name because at the sound of Your name, the earth rejoices, and the angels bow down. Dear Father, You have given us Your Son – to fulfill Your Kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven. You have given Him to us through His obedience on the Cross, and now through Your Spirit, He dwells in our hearts by faith. Where would we be, Lord, without the reality of Your indwelling grace? Give us what we need, that we might have courage to forgive others as You have forgiven us. Give us power, Lord, to rest and abide in You that we would be delivered from temptation and evil. And may we without ceasing, spend the rest of eternity praising You for Your kingdom, Your power, and Your glory. Amen.
