The Feast of the Baptism of Christ – 12th January, 2025
Launch of the Diocesan Year of Spiritual Renewal and Wellbeing 2025
Let us pray:
Look graciously upon us, O Holy Spirit,
And give us, for our hallowing,
Thoughts that pass into prayer,
Prayers that pass into love,
And love that passes into life with you forever. Amen
Last Sunday we celebrated the great feast of the Epiphany, a feast to reflect on how the adventure of Christ’s mission, humanity and divinity was revealed to the world. In Family Communion last Sunday we were led by Rosemary to reflect on what she was taking on a journey she was making later that day, and left with the question to ponder ourselves: what do you need to equip you on your spiritual journey, your ‘pilgrimage to find the Lord’, as the Collect for Epiphany reads.
How wonderful then, that at the beginning of this new year, as a Dicoese, Churches and individuals we are being invited to engage afresh with our own Spiritual Pilgrimage to find the Lord, we are challenged to make intentional steps towards spiritual renewal and we are being encouraged to focus on wellbeing, on our own and those around us. This special year of Spiritual Renewal and Wellbeing for our Diocese is inspired by the Emmaus story in the Gospel of Luke; another story on the road, another journey to reflect upon, where after his crucifixion, death and resurrection, the risen Christ walks alongside two disciples in their confusion and doubt, where he listens to their concerns, and renews them in hope and love.
Bishop Lancelot Andrewes in a Nativity sermon in 1620, whose theme T S Eliot took up in his poem, ‘The Journey of the Magi’, spoke of the journey being at the worst time of the year, and a journey full of dangers, yet a journey on which the Magi didn’t hesitate to set out on, because they were so keen to find Christ. I am praying for that zeal to be amongst us as we begin a new journey at the start of this Year.
That same theme of ‘journey’ lies at the heart of today’s feast: The Baptism of Christ. When we’re baptised as babies or younger children, our parents set the scene for our own Christian journey. Parents and godparents renew their own Baptismal promises, and they promise to immerse their children in the faith of the Church through their own spiritual journeys. Older children and adults make their own promises as they begin their spiritual journey as a baptised member of the family of God.
In Jesus’ baptism, as the heavens open and the Spirit descends, the Father’s voice proclaims: “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you, I am well pleased.” It is good for us to be reminded today that Jesus’ identity is affirmed not by His achievements, but by His relationship with the Father. Similarly, our identity is rooted in God’s love, not in what we do, or what we achieve.
Baptism is a moment when we are named, claimed, and commissioned. It assures us of God’s love and challenges us to live in light of that truth.
The Spirit that descended on Jesus at His baptism equipped Him for His mission: to proclaim good news, bring healing, and reveal God’s kingdom.
Likewise, our baptism commissions us into God’s mission.
We are joined to Christ—not only in His identity but also in His purpose.
When an individual is baptized, they are marked with the sign of the cross, and we say to the baptised: "Do not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified. Fight valiantly as a disciple of Christ against sin, the world, and the devil, and remain faithful to Christ to the end of your life."
Later, as a candle is given, we speak these words to them: "You have received the light of Christ; walk in this light all the days of your life. Shine as a light in the world to the glory of God the Father."
To be baptized into Christ is to receive a calling to live for Him and serve Him in the world. We might well then consider: How are we living as God’s beloved? How is the Spirit working through me to reflect Christ’s glory in my daily life?
Fortunately, the living out of our baptismal calling is not something we need to under our own strength alone. Isaiah 43:2 provides reassurance: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you.”
Jesus affirms this, saying, “Surely I am with you to the very end of the age.”
Empowered by the Spirit, we can step into our calling to live for Christ with confidence, knowing we are never alone. Each moment we can draw on the strength of God’s presence, which just might enable us to find the courage to walk paths, to step out on our spiritual journey in ways that we might otherwise fear.
Just as Jesus’ baptism was a commissioning, our baptism calls us to participate in God’s mission. Whether through acts of service, words of encouragement, or living with integrity and love, we are called to witness His transformative power. Living as God’s beloved requires embracing our identity in Christ, even when the world tells us otherwise. It means facing daily challenges with the confidence that we are deeply loved, empowered, and called to serve. It means reflecting His glory in our words, actions, and relationships. This is our shared mission; this binds us together as the body of Christ.
This Epiphany, may we not only marvel at Christ’s revealed glory but also reflect it. Empowered by the Spirit, may we carry His light into the world, proclaiming the good news of His kingdom so others may encounter the transforming power of His love through us. And as we journey through this year of Spiritual Renewal and Wellbeing may we engage with the resources and opportunities on offer by the Diocese throughout the year ahead (details on the Pew News, Website or Diocese of St. Albans Website directly) as we keep our eyes fixed on Him who calls us his ‘beloved’ and sends us into the world with His blessing. Together, let us shine as beacons of His grace and truth, that others may be drawn closer to His love.
..As a reminder of our Baptism and a sign of our commitment to seeking spiritual renewal and encouraging each other to attend to our wellbeing this year I now offer the sprinkling with Holy Water (sprig of rosemary & Holy Water) – as a reminder of our own baptism and a sign of our commitment to be faithful to it, in this year of Spiritual Renewal and Wellbeing, that lies ahead.
..Rob to play whilst I sprinkle…
Diocesan Prayer
God of life and love,
pour out your blessing on us, and on our Diocese,
as we journey to your kingdom on the Emmaus Road:
where there is uncertainty, build us up in faith;
where there is fear, establish us in love;
where there is discord, bring reconciliation and healing:
that together we may be renewed in hope by your Spirit
and be ambassadors of your risen Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.