Today’s Gospel recounts Jesus’s baptism, where the heavens opened, the Spirit descended, and a voice proclaimed Him as God’s Beloved Son. This moment invites us to reflect on our own baptisms and their significance. The Episcopal Church teaches that baptism is a gift from God—a once-and-forever sacrament that calls us to ministry, connects us to community, and signifies new life in Christ. It is not a requirement for salvation but a sign of God’s grace.
The Book of Common Prayer, particularly its 1979 revision, highlights the communal and justice-oriented aspects of baptism, emphasizing commitments to faith, justice, and respect for all. Unlike older versions, it calls for active discipleship and reflects the church’s response to societal changes, such as the Civil Rights Movement and global awareness of injustice.
Reaffirming our baptismal vows, as we do several times a year, reminds us that baptism is not just a past event but a lifelong journey of living out our faith in partnership with God and community.
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