Baptism & Baseball
The crack of the bat. The smell of the fresh-cut grass (except at places like Three Rivers and the Astrodome). Little kids lining up for autographs. Young people out on a date. The hopeful anticipation embodied by the one who brings their glove every time, for they just KNOW that today, they will finally catch that ball coming their way. Clean chalk lines extending down the first- and third-base sides of the fields, Freshly-tended dirt around the bases, highlighted by a perfectly-sculptured pitcher's mound. The cries of the vendor ("popcorn" / "peanuts" / "programs") hawking their wares among the patrons.
The bowl that has water in it every week, reminding the faithful of the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit, the ultimate sign of life and death. The altar, carefully placed and appropriately situated to command attention as the focal point for all of Christian life, including worship. Bread and cup, carefully situated in such a way as to say, "This is important." The pulpit, arranged in such a way as to bring out the importance of the proclamation of the Word. The light of Christ, represented by the lit candle. A cross, placed in such a way that everyone can see it, and be reminded of the ultimate sacrifice made for each and every person who draws breath. The worship guide, with a carefully-designed ritual serving to lead people through the service.
What do these things have in common? They are part and parcel of the experience. Going to a ballpark (any ballpark, from Yankee Stadium down to the lowest of minor-leagues), and you will encounter most (if not all) of what you see in the first paragraph. Going to worship, you will encounter what you find in the second paragraph. In both cases, it's just part of the deal, and without it, the experience just doesn't measure up like it should.
Why write about this now? Each of the next three Sundays, as well as (more than likely) one or two more by the end of August, we will be celebrating the sacrament of Holy Baptism, In the midst of preparing for the design of each of these services, I was sent a link to a great article talking about how there is a trend to make Holy Communion into a fast-food setting because of boredom or time-perception. Reading this reminded me how we miss a great deal of what God is doing in our midst when we design things for our convenience or entertainment rather than for the hopeful expectation that God will speak in and through us by drawing us into the life-transforming ritual of Baptism and Communion.
In the liturgies for baptism and communion we will be using during these three weeks (and they will be slightly different each week), let us come to worship prepared listen to and participate in the story of God's saving work as embodied in these 'outward signs of the inward grace of God.'
Going to a baseball game and not encountering the rituals makes it seem like something is missing, for it is. Coming to worship and not participating fully in worship through singing, praying, listening, giving, responding, joining in the liturgy (which has as it's root, literally, 'the work of the people'), means there is something missing. Let's make sure to not miss anything over these next few weeks as we covenant with God, these children, their parents, and one another with these sacred vows.
See You Sunday!
Lamar