Presby-Musings

Today our pilgrimage in the Holy Land will take us to the Jordan River and the Yardenit baptismal site.   The site we'll be visiting is far from the traditional site where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, which is to the south, near Jericho.  This site also happens to be the spot where the Israelites miraculously crossed the Jordan River on their way to enter and take the Promised Land.   Some scholars also believe that it's also the site where the river miraculously parted when Elijah struck the river with his cloak so that he and his apprentice Elisha could walk over on dry land.  Elisha in turn struck the river with Elisha's cloak when he returned from seeing his master taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire.  So the baptismal site of Jesus (the traditional one) is pretty important.   Mark's Gospel notes the baptism of Jesus with these words:  9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jor...

This is the second week of daily devotions reflecting on the sermon series that I'm currently preaching, "Red: Understanding the Hard Sayings of Jesus."  This week we are reflecting on what it means to recognize the Holy Spirit working, moving, creating and inspiring in the world around us.   Several years ago, my wife Merideth and I visited Rome and spent some time at the Vatican.  We were waiting to attend Mass in St. Peter's Basilica and were wandering around the grounds.  I'd been praying for some time prior to our arrival that God would give me a sign, show me something, anything that would give me some direction.   At the time I was feeling a bit dusty and dry spiritually. To be honest, what I wanted most was to know that God was still there, still caring about me, still guiding me.  I hadn't felt very connected to God in a while, at least not in ways that I had known in the past.  I figured that if there was anywhere on earth t...

This week at my church we’ll be celebrating “Baptism of Our Lord” Sunday, or as it is also known, “The First Sunday After Epiphany.”  Actually, it’s not ever really known as “The First Sunday After Epiphany,” but since next Sunday is the “Second Sunday After Epiphany,” I just assumed we could do that sort of thing.  I hope I don’t upset any official church people, and get an official letter of reprimand from the official magisterium of whatever.. I lied.  I really hope I do.  That would be cool to frame and put on my wall. We are, in fact, studying a passage of Scripture from the Gospel of Matthew that tells one of the accounts (there are four) of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist .  Baptism is one of the two sacraments that us Protestant-types celebrate in the Church, the other being the Lord’s Supper .  Catholics have seven or something like that, which is kind of cool, but definitely more complicated. The reason why we have named this m...