DeacPost “Splashing in the Font”

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. Romans 6:3-5 

I’ve been privileged to assist with the baptisms of my niece and nephew. They were powerful, Spirit-filled moments. After my nephew’s baptism, something amazing happened. I lifted his big sister so she could touch the water in the font.  She splashed for a bit and I made the sign of the cross with the water on her forehead. And then she, almost three years old, did the same for me! I could feel God’s presence through her wet finger. She then proceeded to mark our family members with a wet cross.

At that moment I wasn’t thinking about death but, rather, the reminder that the two of us are claimed by God and “walk in newness of life” (v.4).  By our baptisms, we both were buried with Christ. Because of this death, we too are able to live in resurrection. That was true on that beautiful Sunday morning, is today, and will be in the life to come.

Prayer:  God of resurrection, we thank you for the new life given through your son. Amen.

Deacon Student Matthew Petersen, Cincinnati, OH

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