Jan 09, 2023 |
Born Again
| The Rev. Melanie W. J. Slane
Born Again
Every year, every month, every moment is an opportunity to
be born again. Every time we show up, every time we resist evil, when we repent
and return. Every time we proclaim the Gospel and seek and serve and love. Every
time we strive to be and help others see God's dream for humanity, this is how
we live a baptized life.
Those of us who are already baptized know that it's not always sunshine and rainbows and puppies. It's just as messy and complicated as the life we were first born into. Being a Christian doesn't mean that there is suddenly no pain or fear or struggle. Oftentimes it means we see more of these things because we're paying attention as we press up against an individualistic consumer culture.
And if you're human like me, you won't only see more of them, you will experience them. Our baptismal covenant reminds us that we will mess up. It supposes we will sin. It says whenever you sin, not if you happen to sin once or twice in your life.
Those of us who are already baptized know that it's not always sunshine and rainbows and puppies. It's just as messy and complicated as the life we were first born into. Being a Christian doesn't mean that there is suddenly no pain or fear or struggle. Oftentimes it means we see more of these things because we're paying attention as we press up against an individualistic consumer culture.
And if you're human like me, you won't only see more of them, you will experience them. Our baptismal covenant reminds us that we will mess up. It supposes we will sin. It says whenever you sin, not if you happen to sin once or twice in your life.
