Titus 3:4-7
When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (ESV)
Not Simple Water
Wednesday of Pentecost 2
9 June 2010
Martin Luther's Small Catechism tells us "Baptism is not simple water only, but it is the water comprehended in God's command and connected with God's Word" (SC 4, 1). As Cyril of Jerusalem prepared catechumens for the sacrament of baptism he too emphasized the water of baptism was not "simple water."
In baptism the holy Trinity gives Himself through the Word of God connected with the water. It can't be only water any more than the incarnate Christ can be only a human. Cyril suggests that if offerings given to idols profane those offerings, so invocation of the holy Trinity at baptism sanctifies those waters set apart for baptism. God's Word is indeed powerful making holy even things, and especially the things that God has ordained should convey his grace to us.
Cyril of Jerusalem
"This is in truth a serious matter, brothers, and you must approach it with good heed. Each one of you is about to be presented to God before tens of thousands of the angelic hosts. The Holy Spirit is about to seal your souls. You are to be enrolled in the army of the great King.
"Therefore make yourselves ready, and equip yourselves, by putting on, not bright apparel, but piety of soul with a good conscience. Regard not the font as simple water, but rather regard the spiritual grace that is given with the water. For just as the offerings brought to the heathen altars, though simple in their nature, become defiled by the invocation of the idols, so contrariwise the simple water having received the invocation of the Holy Spirit, and of Christ, and of the Father, acquires a new power of holiness."
Prayer
I thank, praise, and glorify You, my Lord Christ, with heart and voice before the world that You are merciful to me and help me. This I have received in baptism, that You and none other shall be my Lord and God. Amen.
For Diane Garner, who is undergoing therapy for cancer, that God would guide the health professionals to provide healing
For all the seminary students, especially Robert Paul and Magdiel Fajardo, that the Lord would give them every blessing through their instruction in the mystery of the gospel
For Maryann Blair who was bereaved of her mother, that the Lord would give her the strength to mourn with the hope of the resurrection of the flesh
Art: MICHELANGELO, Buonarroti The Fall and Expulsion from Eden 1509-1510