A number of years ago, I witnessed the baptism of a little boy named Jacob who appeared to be about 2 1/2 years old. The church had a small platform with a couple of steps that could be pulled over to the baptismal font for children who no longer needed to be held in their parents’ arms, but who weren’t yet tall enough to lean over the bowl of water.
When it came time for the baptism, Jacob’s father guided his son up the steps where Jacob now had a perfect view of everything: the pastor in front of him, the community of faith surrounding him, and, at his fingertips – the baptismal font, holding the water which would be used in the sacred act about to happen.
With a little coaxing, Jacob leaned over the font. Three times the pastor scooped up as much water as his large hand could hold, poured it over Jacob’s head and baptized him in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To everyone’s surprise, Jacob giggled in delight. And with each scoop of water that poured over him, he giggled all the harder. After the prayer, the pastor made the sign of the cross on Jacob’s forehead and proclaimed: “Jacob, child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.” Jacob beamed.
Just then, as the pastor turned toward the congregation to introduce this newly baptized child of God, Jacob suddenly threw his hands into the baptismal font and started sloshing the water from side to side. And even though Jacob’s dad responded with lightning speed, the water was already spilling over the edge of the bowl by the time he scooped up his son and pulled him away. At this, Jacob threw his arms out toward the font and at the top of his lungs screamed, “MINE! MINE!”
It was a loud and holy moment. Jacob was proclaiming the truth! Those baptismal waters were his! It was in those life-giving waters that God claimed him: “You are my beloved child, Jacob. And no matter what, I am never letting you go. You are mine forever!”
The next time you wash your hands or take a shower or simply turn on the tap, I encourage you to take some of the water, make the sign of the cross on your forehead, and remember the promise made to you in your baptism: you belong to God, the One who has loved you from the beginning and who will love you forever.
O God, giver of all good things: Thank you for claiming us through water and the Word. May we always delight in this gift and remember that no matter what, you will never let us go. Amen.