Seventh Sunday after Pentecost + Baptism

Title

What Have We Done in Baptism?

Outline

Baptisms, especially infant baptisms, are happy times, but what really happens?

First, it is clear that the child becomes a member of the community

He is exorcised multiple times to separate him from his natural community

Promises are made in his name by members of the community to make him part the community of the disciples of Jesus, the kingdom of God

This is where the collective nature of our faith is seen in its clearest form

Second, the child dies

He is identified with the death of Christ and buried with Christ - that is what Paul says - his natural past is washed away

This happens in consecrated water and it is done three times in the name of the Holy Trinity

Third, the child is given a new life

Dying with Christ, the child then rises with Christ, rises into the new life of Christ

Fourth, the child receives the Holy Spirit

That is the purpose of chrismation - he might not be aware of anything now, for for him all of life is so new, but he has the Spirit within and can call upon the Spirit

It is not unusual for children to have significant experiences of the Spirit, for they have not been taught by the world to filter them out

Fifth, the child receives Jesus in the form of communion

If he were not an infant, it would be body and blood, but as an infant he receives the form he can receive - all of Jesus is in the drop

But this creates a job for us

For you parents and sponsors it means you have just become Christian formators

The text says, “Teaching them to observe all that I have taught you” - that involves a task of guiding, correcting, and especially explaining, as well as teaching him to read it for himself

And for all of us it means that we need to live “all that I have taught you” so that everywhere he looks he will see models for what his parents are talking about

Thus Baptism is the starting of new life in Christ for the one baptized and it is a renewal of our life in Christ for those who are already baptized.

Without both parts it is unlikely that the new life will develop well in our new member of the body of Christ

Readings

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) 8-8-2021: Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

EPISTLE

Romans 15:1–7

15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; 2 let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him. 3  For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” 4  For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5  May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) (8-8-2021: Seventh Sunday after Pentecost)

GOSPELMatthew 9:27–3527  And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” 28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be done to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, “See that no one knows it.” 31 But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.32  As they were going away, behold, a mute demoniac was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” 34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”35  And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity.

Romans 6:3–11 RSV2CE

3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our former man was crucified with him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For he who has died is freed from sin. 8 But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. 9 For we know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 The death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 28:16–20 RSV2CE

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”

Notes

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) (8-8-2021: Seventh Sunday after Pentecost)

SUNDAY, JULY 11, 2021 | OCTOECHOS

SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Bright Vestments

Matins Gospel John 20:1–10

Epistle Romans 15:1–7

Gospel Matthew 9:27–35

Green

St Euphemia, Martyr