A PRAYER FOR THIRD ADVENT(NT)

Luke 3:15-18 (NIT)

15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with[a] water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with[b] the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.

We didn't mind the water, John

It cleansed us

Made us feel better

Washed away our sins and shortcomings

The water was fresh...clean...refreshing

We danced in the water

splashed each other

laughed and played in the Jordan

We were alive and happy

We felt part of a family...a group...a movement

Danger was far away

Your baptism brought us together

where no harm could touch us

Now you proclaim another baptism

A baptism of  the Holy Spirit and fire.

No more water

The fire next time

A fire that will burn us

Igniting and blazing and consuming us

all that we are and all that we have

absorbing everything and everyone

Will our souls be singed

Our spirits be kindled in ways

that will frighten and scar us

Shaping us in new and terrible ways

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

It's his baptism, isn't it John

The One who is coming

The One

Jesus Christ, The Lord

His baptism of fire

will set us ablaze

to be a beacon in a world shrouded in darkness

a candle of joy amongst sadness and depression

a torch for peace amidst the slaughter of the innocent

A baptism that gathers

Brings together all who proclaim the Good News

of love and forgiveness

justice and wholeness

A baptism that separates

Winnows out all who demand control

Who practice selfishness and apathy

tyranny and violence

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

O Lord of the Baptism

Come, we pray

Drench us with the Spirit and the fire

So that we may be your candles in the windows of the world

that it may see your life and your words

In our lives.

Amen