Daily Prayer: a resource of Forward Movement

The Forward Day by Day Meditation for January 10, 2021

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SUNDAY, January 10 1 Epiphany

Mark 1:9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

Two distinct theologies have developed around baptism. One, I call magic, and the other, I call decision. Magic requires no real change. Magic is terrible theology. God loves the unbaptized person—and indeed everyone, entirely, now, already—no matter what we do.

The other way of approaching baptism is though a posture of decision. Baptism is a decision made by the parents of a child or by an adult deciding to be baptized themselves—to change, to be transformed, to dedicate one’s life to a new cause, to abide within the household of God. This approach is not magic; it’s the beginning of a new life, coming out of the water transformed, prepared to practice the eternal priesthood of all believers.

MOVING FORWARD: Spend your quiet time today reading over the Baptismal Covenant (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 304.)

PRAY for the Diocese of Lebombo (Mozambique), Southern Ohio (USA), and Southern Philippines

Ps 29 | Genesis 1:1-5 | Acts 19:1-7 | Mark 1:4-11