For we were all baptized one Spirit into one body…and we were all given the one Spirit to drink (1 Co 12:13).
Two vitally important and interrelated celebrations are planned for today: we baptise Alexis, Gianni, Indie, Onkarabile and Pieter and we hold our Annual Society Meeting (ASM). In baptism we state our intention to obey Jesus’ words “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded” (Mt 28:19–20).
Through the ASM we organise ourselves to remain faithful to our Baptismal responsibility: Leaders (mission leaders, small group leaders, Society Stewards etc.) are appointed, budgets approved and objectives are finalised to continue the work of making disciples.
In the parable we read today two men stand apart from the worshiping congregation. One stands aloof; he is proud and views the congregation and her ministers with contempt. The other stands at a distance; he is a sinner and doesn’t believe he is worthy. Through baptism pride is put to death and we are claimed as worthy (Rom. 6:1-7). Let us then offer to God, through the Church, the gifts that are rightly hers.
God Bless,
Sean