As I mentioned in the children’s talk this morning, today is the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary. So often she can be overlooked as silent and demure in the background, when we know – from her song – that she is a symbol of hope and faith.
And as the Theotokos – literally the God-bearer – she was more than just the mother of this holy child, but the rearer of this child. Her ministry was not just a short-term charge, but she and her family were the extended care, teaching, and raising of Jesus. Mary’s devotion to God was a life-long commitment – and her pregnancy was a sign to the world of this powerful faith.
And we enjoy signs, don’t we? Especially for things that we feel but cannot see… like faith. And things that we love, but can’t always find the words for – like faith. And things that we do, but can’t always articulate – like ministry.
So we ask for signs, and symbols.
And we’re not new in doing this – and God is fine with us doing this! Because God uses signs and symbols to help sustain us in the faith and be fervent in our loving service. In Mary, he uses this passionate woman to bring life to the light of the world. She sings of the power of faith being shared from generation to generation – especially fitting as today we have 4 generations of one family here with us, celebrating their commitment to God and community.
In the Isaiah reading, God invites Ahaz to ask for a sign – “ask me anything!” God says – without the restrictions, like “half my kingdom”, that so many other in the bible put in place. God invites the request to be deeper than the deepest depths or higher than the highest heavens – nothing is too big for God, just ask a sign. And even Isaiah the Prophet is able to show Ahaz and all Israel that the sign of God will come in the form they can relate to: a human, with a symbolic name (Immanuel meaning God is With Us) – and a symbolic appetite – for curds and honey are the food of celebration, and not usually spent on children. Ask for a sign: and God will show you!
Then in the Galatians reading today, God uses the imagery of children to remind us of our place in the family of God. What a sign – not for just one child, not just as a result of Jesus’ presence on earth, but for all of us. A simple symbol of family – something relatable – to celebrate the presence of God, the indwelling of the Spirit, the spiritual freedom of being in the family. And – not as an outsider, not as a casual visitor, but as a child of God; and heir of God; a beneficiary of the Kingdom of God. The family of God is a strong symbol!
And so today we continue to receive these symbols – we continue to delight in the way that God is still showing us that God is Here! God is always with us! God is always active with us!
And in the sacrament of baptism, we are flooded with such symbols – so many, to remind us that baptism is not merely a one-day event, it is a life-long commitment to active and faithful ministry.
The water reminds us of cleansing, and of new life – it speaks of the divine power of God that courses over and through our bodies as freely as grace flows over and through our souls.
The Shell reminds us of the baptism of Jesus, and of the benefit of living water; not stagnant but fresh and renewing; and locally here the shell reminds us of our community on the sea.
The holy oil used in the anointing has a pleasing scent, and creates an indelible spiritual mark to show the world of membership in Christ’s family, participation in the ministry of all believers, and the promise of salvation that we have all been assured.
The candle is lit today from the Paschal or Christ candle; a feature of our community to remind us of the light of Christ that is ever in our midst, and so Peter carries home today his own reminder of that.
The dove (which we see on the candle) tells us of the Holy Spirit, as we understand from Jesus’ own baptism. We invoke the Spirit to give spiritual gifts to Peter, and to re-awaken the spiritual gifts we each carry from our own initiation to the community.
The symbols are here now: reminding us that God is here with us now, always has been and always will be.
The signs are everywhere: reminding us that God is here and there and everywhere, and can never be contained.
The promise is eternal: we can always ask God for a sign; and we can always ask God to help us see those signs.
For in this, we will live out our lives as the beautiful children in the family of God; as God intended.
So let us continue this celebration, immersed in the signs and symbols of God’s love and mercy, as we celebrate the sacrament of baptism.
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