DAY 7
Baptism into the Death and Resurrection of the Lord
Scripture Readings
Micah 7:18-19
Psalm 51:1, 7, 10, 12
Matthew 28:16-20
Patristic Readings
From the Greek tradition
Such is the power of faith in Christ, such the excess of his grace: As the element of fire, when it meets with ore from the mine, straightway of earth makes it gold, even so and much more baptism makes those who are washed to be of gold instead of clay. The Spirit at that time falling like fire into our souls, burning up the “image of the earthy”, and producing “the image of the heavenly,” fresh coined, bright and glittering, as from the furnace-mould.
– John Chrysostom [c. 350-407], Homily on the Gospel of John, X:2
For reflection:
- Christians are baptised into the death and resurrection of Christ. What does your baptism mean to you today?
- Sin disfigures us in various ways. Through baptism, God liberates us from this humiliation.
- In spite of different church traditions and practices, how does confessing “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Eph. 4:5) affect our relationships with other Christians?
Prayer
R/ We thank you, O Lord, and bless your name!
For having called us to faith in baptism, for the communion we share in the New Covenant, for your presence in the holy Church. R/
For the witness of persecuted Christians, for the suffering of their martyrdom, for their participation in Christ’s passion. R/
For all servants of communion, for those who pray and work for the reconciliation of churches, for those who offer their lives for unity. R/
Let us pray.
God our Father, we praise you and bless your name.
Accept our thanksgiving for the unity Christians already enjoy in the confession of Jesus the Lord.
Hasten the day, we beg you, of the full mutual recognition of our churches in the communion that you desire, and for which your Son prayed. We ask this in the power of the Holy Spirit. AMEN.
Alternative Patristic Readings
From the Syriac tradition
The Son of God descended from heaven, became man and from the abyss raised you, so that you would became a son for God. He became your brother in the womb full of holiness and made you his brother in the womb of baptism. … A son for God he made you, with him, in the water so that he who is the Only Begotten acquires brothers through the second birth. For he himself by a second birth became man, by that second generation he made you a son for God.
– Jacob of Sarug [c. 451-521], Discourse 10
From the Latin tradition
Man, you dared not lift up your face towards heaven, you turned your eyes towards the earth, and suddenly you received the grace of Christ … Lift up, therefore, your eyes to the Father, who has begotten you
through baptism, to the Father who has redeemed you through the Son, and say, “Our Father!” – Ambrose of Milan [c. 337-397], The Sacraments, V:19
Alternative Canadian Readings
Baptism assures us that we belong to God. In life and in death our greatest comfort is that we belong to our faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.[1]
[1] Living Faith, 7.6.5