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January 9, 2019

Befriending Baptism’s Wildness

Daniel Benedict   |   Read Psalm 29:1-11

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Lectionary Week
January 7–13, 2019
Scripture Overview

Water is an important theme throughout the Bible. The authors of scripture use water as an image of transition and sometimes challenge and always tie it back to God’s renewing work. Isaiah records the divine promise that God will not abandon Israel, even if they pass through trying waters—a reference to the deliverance of the Israelites from the Egyptians. The psalmist declares that God’s voice covers all the waters, so nothing can come against us that is beyond God’s reach. In Acts we see the connection between baptism—passing through the water—and the gift of the Holy Spirit. The emphasis is on the inclusion of the Samaritans, a group considered unclean by many but not by God. We see clearly the connection between water baptism and the Spirit in the baptism of Jesus himself.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Isaiah 43:1-7. Isaiah presents an image of God’s favor that is at once particular and universal. How do you experience God’s love for you as part of the body of Christ as well as for all persons?
Read Psalm 29. God’s creation, in its wildness, incorporates destruction. In the face of disaster, how do you find a way to say, “Glory”?
Read Acts 8:14-17. Our baptism is in the name of Jesus and the name of the Spirit. To what wildness does the Spirit prompt you?
Read Luke 3:15-17, 21-22. Remember your baptism and listen for God’s call out into the wildness of the world.

Respond by posting a prayer .

Psalm 29:1-11

1 You, divine beings! Give to the LORD give to the LORD glory and power! 2 Give to the LORD the glory due his name! Bow down to the LORD in holy splendor! 3 The LORD’s voice is over the waters; the glorious God thunders; the LORD is over the mighty waters. 4 The LORD’s voice is strong; the LORD’s voice is majestic. 5 The LORD’s voice breaks cedar trees yes, the LORD shatters the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes Lebanon jump around like a young bull, makes Sirion jump around like a young wild ox. 7 The LORD’s voice unleashes fiery flames; 8 the LORD’s voice shakes the wilderness yes, the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The LORD’s voice convulses the oaks, strips the forests bare, but in his temple everyone shouts, “Glory!” 10 The LORD sits enthroned over the floodwaters; the LORD sits enthroned—king forever! 11 Let the LORD give strength to his people! Let the LORD bless his people with peace!

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

We could read today’s psalm as a portrayal of a distant God separate from creation and thus capricious and rapacious. We could read it as God thrashing and trashing the trees, ravishing the wilderness, setting forests on fire, and flooding lands maliciously. (Perhaps a god like ourselves, careless with creation.)...

In this moment, be present to nature and its mediation of God’s inbreathing presence.


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