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One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism
“I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:1-6
What comes to mind when you hear these words from the letter to the Ephesians from the Daily Office readings? For me, my mind goes to Christ Chapel and Saturday morning baptisms with which I have assisted. Small families, large families, families that are generational St. Martin’s members, and families who just joined, they are all joining a much larger family – this Christian family.
Here in these verses, we are reminded of our Baptismal covenant to love all persons, seeing the imagine of God in everyone – as difficult as that might be. We are reminded that we are not half in or half out; rather we have been called by God to live lives that are shaped by humility, gentleness, patience, and love. With these virtues in mind, I am aware that it is the second day of your New Year’s Resolution (it’s not too late to make one!!), so I encourage you to live lives that reflect God’s love.
One idea for a New Year’s Resolution, is to come to the Daily Office here in Christ Chapel. For some, this was the holy space in which you were baptized. What a perfect space to begin again, this new year! So, “lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
A Prayer from the Baptism Liturgy
“Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit you have bestowed upon these your servants the forgiveness of sin, and have raised them to the new life of grace. Sustain them, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give them an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 308)
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