Headwaters of life

Lutheran, The, Jan 2004 by Briehl, Susan

Our baptism is a once-for-a-lifetime gift

When spring comes to the Bitterroot Mountains in northern Idaho, melting snow swells the headwaters of the Clearwater River. A trinity of streams-the North, South and Middle Forks-makes three separate journeys before becoming a single river. It flows into the Snake as it winds its way toward the mighty Columbia rolling westward to the Pacific Ocean. While these rivers run to the sea, salmon and steelhead swim upstream, returning home to the Clearwater to spawn.

The first human stories of this river and its bounty belong to the ancestors of the Nez Perce, whose lands and lives it still nourishes. Later, explorers, loggers and miners added their stories-then farmers looking for fertile land and families longing for a fresh start. To all who come, the river is a source of life, providing water for drinking, bathing and growing crops, a passageway for travel and trade, abundant food and breathtaking beauty.

One bright Sunday morning in May, a procession came to the banks of the Clearwater and wound its way down to a sheltered cove. The pilgrims carried baskets fragrant with food-the promise of a potluck picnic. When they arrived on the pebbled shore, the baskets produced additional treasure: a Bible, candle, bread, wine and a baby. The whole community of Good Hope Lutheran Church, Gifford, Idaho, had come on Pentecost Day to baptize Hannah and welcome her as a member with them in the body of Christ.

They gathered around her, promising to teach her-through word and deed-the way of Jesus, the way of justice, peace and self-giving love. They read Scripture and sang songs of God's mighty power and tender mercy. Then they carried her to the river. These were the headwaters of her life in Christ. Here she would be buried and raised with him. The powers of evil and death would be drowned and sin washed away.

This was ordinary water-a river of rain and snow and spawning fish. But it was sacred water too-God's word flowed in, with and under it. The people recalled their ancestral stories as the pastor thanked God for blessing the earth with water, saving Noah and his family during the flood, setting Israel free from captivity through the sea, and naming Jesus "Beloved Son, Anointed One" in his baptism in the Jordan River.

They asked God to send the Spirit upon these waters and to save and set free, bless and name this child now and always.

Down to the water the baby went. A trinity of streams flowed over her-in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit-binding her for life to the One God. Coming up from the water she was wrapped in a towel, tender care for her naked body, and anointed with oil, sealed with the Spirit who dwells with her forever. The sign of the cross was traced upon her forehead: an invisible, indelible mark declaring she belongs to the crucified and risen One. Her mother dressed her in a white gown, saying to her, "Hannah, child of God, you have put on Christ. Live clothed in his mercy, robed in his light."

Just the beginning

We know what Hannah now is learning: Baptism is the beginning of a lifelong journey. She need never be baptized again because this is a once-in-a-lifetime gift. God's promise can't be broken. But again and again she will need to return to, renew and rely upon the promises made that day-baptism is a once-for-a-lifetime gift.

By God's grace Hannah's confirmation day will be just such a return and renewal. The community that is nurturing, teaching and praying for her will surround her once more. Together they will profess their faith in the words of the ancient creed and pray for all in need. She will cry out "Amen" to the gift of her baptism and "yes" to living the way of Jesus. Her pastor will lay hands upon her, praying for the Spirit to stir up her faith, deepen her love and increase in her the gifts of grace. And all those gathered will mark this milestone by saying "Amen" and "yes" to their common life in Christ.

Other milestones will mark Hannah's life-the first day of school, a trip away from home, a crushing failure, heartbreaking loss or splendid joy. Each will be an occasion to remember the deepest truth about herself: She is bound to Christ and nothing can separate her from God's love.

Indeed, Martin Luther teaches us to claim this promise daily, to make the sign of the cross as soon as we get out of bed, placing ourselves under the care of the Trinity. And when evening comes, to do the same, releasing the day and our lives into God's keeping. Like the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night that led the Israelites for 40 years in the wilderness, this sign reminds us that Christ leads and accompanies, shields and sustains us every step of the way.

Our journey too

Sunday after Sunday when the Spirit gathers us to hear the word and share the Lord's Supper, we return to the font, the watery tomb of death and the wellspring of abundant life. We touch the water as we enter the church, remembering to whom we belong. We lift our faces to receive the water falling from an evergreen bough, a sign of God's renewing grace. We confess the truth-we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves-and a flood of mercy washes us again, forgiving us and setting us free. Thus revived, we become a river of life, bearing God's creative and redeeming word to the world. This is our journey, this our joy.