The God of glory thunders, and in his temple all say, “Glory!” The Lord is enthroned above the flood; the Lord is enthroned as king forever. (Psalm 29)
Dear Friends,
As I watched the news of the floods affecting so many parts of the country right now, I was amazed at the power of water. At one and the same time, it is so essential for life and flourishing and yet so devastating in its overwhelming power to destroy.
From the water that gently surrounds a child in the womb to the weight of deadly flooding, the symbol of life and death are set before us in a simple substance we drink every day (at least 8 glasses!). We shower and bathe with it. We cook with it. In fact science tells us that 98 per cent of our body is composed of it.
So it is an apt and fitting symbol for God to manifest his power in baptism beginning with the baptism of his Son. The natural and supernatural are interwoven in a substance that destroys, washes, nourishes, causes change and gives life. The God who made water now uses it to signify a renewed vision of his creation, one in which sin and the power of the Evil One is destroyed, and grace and the power of his beloved Son is affirmed.
So let us remember our baptism, let us pray for those preparing for baptism, and those yet to catch the Spirit’s call which we must witness to by the way we live our lives. Let us pray that any selfishness in our lives be destroyed and self-giving encouraged to grow!
God’s many blessings flow upon you and our troubled, but graced world!
Sincerely, with love,
Fr. Tim