Baptism is countercultural

During our 11 a.m. service this Sunday, the members of our Confirmation Class will confirm their baptisms, profess their faith, and become active members of our congregation. By baptism they became members of the church of Jesus Christ. Through confirmation they accept the claim God made on them in baptism and declare that they choose to live into their baptism for the rest of their lives. Their actions challenge all of us to remember and renew our baptismal covenant this weekend.

I consider baptism countercultural. Through baptism we declare allegiance to a presence and power far beyond and different than cultural and societal norms.

In baptism we follow one who commanded, “Strive first for the kingdom of God and God’s righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). In a world that extols the corner office, largest house, most toys, and most enviable salary, we emphasize on our relationship with God and the relationships into which God draws us. The baptized do not consider a nice office, a good salary, a large house, or creature comforts evil; but neither do we deem them the highest good. That affects (or should) both whom we admire and what we aspire to become. We value becoming a better person over becoming better off.

In baptism we accept as valid the judgment, “Just as you did it to one of the least of these … you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40). Some seem to consider people in need lazy and contemptible. Others deem those who lack dependents on the largess of those who have. The baptized consider us all “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14) and long for everyone to have life’s basic needs. Yes, scoundrels sometimes take advantage of the baptized. Yet, we believe that “one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” and that we “will be enriched in every way for great generosity” (2 Corinthians 9:6, 11). The baptized reach out to express gratitude to God.

In baptism we accept the claim: “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:20). In a world that exalts those who claim to be the greatest and willingly stand alone, we respect those who excel by helping others reach their potential as well. In a society that admires those who take care of “number one” and celebrates those who seek first and foremost the benefit of their group, we seek the greater good and rejoice when dividing walls tumble to make new connections possible.

In baptism we promise to “love the Lord [our] God with all [our] heart … soul … and mind” and to “love [our] neighbor as [ourselves]” (Matthew 22:38, 40). The baptized know that no one is self-made. Humbled by our dependence on God and others and aware that our lives belong to God, we seek to live with courageous gratitude. Courageous gratitude seldom makes the headlines and probably will not get us elected, but it leads to life abundant and eternal. As we claim and celebrate that this weekend, may we pray that our confirmands have seen and will continue to see some of that in us, just as we long to see it in them.

Grace and Peace,

LP

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