by Demi Prentiss

Nearly 50 years ago, a Roman Catholic archbishop told his flock,

“How beautiful will be the day when all the baptized understand that their work, their job, is a priestly work, that just as I celebrate Mass at this altar, so each carpenter celebrates Mass at his workbench, and each metalworker, each professional, each doctor with the scalpel, the market woman at her stand, is performing a priestly office! How many cabdrivers, I know, listen to this message there in their cabs: you are a priest at the wheel, my friend, if your work with honesty, consecrating that taxi of yours to God, bearing a message of peace and love to the passengers who ride in your cab.”  – Oscar Romero, Nov. 20, 1977

Fletcher Lowe, a colleague and a co-founder of Partners for Baptismal Living, frequently quoted Martin Luther: “When you wash your face, remember your baptism.” He longed for each Christian to be reminded every day that their baptism inspires and equips them to live their baptismal promises:

• continue in the apostles’ teaching and the prayers;
• persevere in resisting evil;
• proclaim God’s Good News by word and example;
• seek and serve Christ in all persons; and
• strive for justice and peace, loving your neighbor as yourself.

A few years ago, Adam Hamilton, pastor of a large Methodist Church in Leawood, KS, asked each member to hang a laminated tag in their shower. As they showered, they were to pray the words on it:

            Lord, as I enter the water to bathe,
            I remember my baptism.
            Wash me again by your grace,
            Fill me with your Spirit,
            Renew my soul.
            I pray that I might live as your child today
            And honor you in all that I do. Amen.

Eastertide offers us 50 days to practice. What reminder might you use to claim your baptismal promises? How might you remember each day to claim your identity: “Child of God, beloved and called”? How might we grow every day in recognizing the calling God has placed on our lives?