Ordinary Time

Pause

As followers of Christ, we join Jesus, who went before us, in the waters of baptism. There God offers us new life — a life with the assurance of God’s unfailing love and the power of the Spirit.

Take this time to reflect on your baptism. Give thanks for what it has meant to you. Consider anew what it might mean for your living today.

Listen

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul took a route through the interior and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. He asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you came to believe?”

They replied, “We’ve not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

Then he said, “What baptism did you receive, then?”

They answered, “John’s baptism.”

Paul explained, “John baptized with a baptism by which people showed they were changing their hearts and lives. It was a baptism that told people about the one who was coming after him. This is the one in whom they were to believe. This one is Jesus.”

Acts 19:1-4

Think

In Ephesus, Paul came across some disciples who somehow missed out on an important part of their faith. They had been baptized by John, but didn’t catch John’s main message. John had come to proclaim that someone more powerful was coming after him — Jesus! So Paul explains to the disciples in Ephesus: John wanted you to believe in Jesus. Jesus is the one worthy of your belief!

It’s clear here that baptism and belief in Christ go hand-in-hand. We receive baptism and belief with open arms and hearts as a gift from God. Whether you can clearly remember the day you walked into the baptismal waters, or if you received the gift of baptism and seeds of faith before you can even remember, give thanks. On that day, with your baptism, you showed everyone who was there: I believe in Jesus!

I wonder sometimes, how does my daily life show others that I believe in Jesus?

Meredith Forssman

Pray

Holy Spirit, thank you for being there then and for being with me now. I pray that you would strengthen and sustain my belief always. Help me to use my life to share my faith with others. Amen.

Go

“God of grace and glory, you call us with your voice of flame to be your people, faithful and courageous.

As your beloved Son embraced his mission in the waters of baptism, inspire us with the fire of your Spirit to join in his transforming work.

We ask this in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.”

Revised Common Lectionary Prayers