Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Today's text

Matthew 3:13-15

Then Jesus appeared: he came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. John tried to dissuade him, with the words, “It is I who need baptism from you, and yet you come to me!” But Jesus replied, “Leave it like this for the time being; it is fitting that we should in this way, do all that uprightness demands.” Then John gave in to him.

Prayer

I see your hand on John’s arm. “Let it be so,” you say. John is confused; your composure complete. You know something that he does not grasp. And you know fully, with all your being, from the virginal point of your soul where you are one with the One who sent you.

You know: righteousness demands you, Jesus, all of you.

You did not need a baptism for forgiveness of sins. And even John says you had a better baptism to give than his own. But you submit calmly, with no fuss or second thought, certain that it is right.

Your certainty moves me. It marks your total surrender to a mission and a way. You give yourself without reserve or condition to the mission of God’s reign, prepared to live a way that allows you to hold nothing back. Even if it means your destruction and pain.

You stand in the stream, utterly given to this Loving Mystery, utterly given to human messiness and rejection for the sake of world to be born. You stand there for me, that I may know the One who is Love Untold.

Grant that I may know that love and share your calm assurance. May I stand with you amid the messiness, the heartache and the joy of serving you, quietly surrendering to your invitation, “Come.”

Pr. David L. Miller