Wednesday, June 7, 2017 

                On Sunday, June 18, we will be attending our grandson’s (Spencer) baptism. He is ten months old. Although infant baptism is not part of our family’s faith tradition it is an important and meaningful part of his Catholic father and his family’s faith.  Therefore, I have nothing but respect and reverence as we gather to celebrate and dedicate Spencer’s young life in the eyes and love of God – in effect, to place him in God’s hands. 

No matter the method, it will take us all working together, laughing together, praying together, encouraging him and his parents, so that Spencer may grow, thrive and be safe. It is a tough, angry world out here and he is going to need our help and yes, God’s help, to handle his life’s choices and decisions along the way.

So I am all in on his baptism.

May it be said of him as it was said about Jesus, “And Jesus matured, growing up in both body and spirit, blessed by both God and people,” (Luke 2: 52, The Message).

Let’s consider Jesus’ family life for a moment. We don’t know a great deal except for a few references here and there in the Gospels. Much of what we claim is by inference and conjecture from those brief family “photos” in the Gospel album.

Jesus was the eldest son of Mary and Joseph, with a lofty beginning through the Holy Spirit. Joseph was a carpenter but it would appear he may have been much older than Mary and, by the times of the Gospels, he was no longer on the scene.

Jesus was no angel child. He could be somewhat precocious as he was when at the age of twelve he didn’t tell his parents where he was going and scooted back to the Temple in Jerusalem. When his worried parents found him arguing with the teachers and elders he brushed off their worry and concern as if being there was as natural as daylight. Even as an adult he could sass his mother as he did at the wedding at Canaan when his mother asked for his help with the wine list. I can imagine the look she must have given him; and soon he was doing what he was told.

There were younger brothers and sisters. I am curious what they thought of this stranger, older brother. Did he tease them as older brothers are wont to do? Did they have pillow fights? Did he and his brothers wrestle and rough-house?

The Gospel of John tells us that “not even his brothers believed him,” (John 7:5), even though he would stay at their homes. Who can turn down your brother even if you think he is a little nuts?  “When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, ‘He is out of his mind,’” (Mark 3:21). A times Jesus could seem distant from his family as when he kept them waiting to see him and then lumped them in with all who were following him as being his one big family, (Matthew 13: 49). On the other hand, he could be tender and caring as he was from the cross, telling John to care for his mother, (John 19: 26 -27).

I guess what I am saying is that family life can be complicated, complex and messy, even for a Messiah (maybe especially for a Messiah).  The old saying goes that one can choose your friends but you can’t choose your family.

Every child, though, needs a good family, despite the probable conflicts and confusion that family living can sometimes proffer.   By “good” I mean a family in which there is ample encouragement, the teaching and example of positive and ethical values, accountability, responsibility, love,  growth, development, support, nurture, and the list could go on. No family is ever perfect, but we all could and should do a better job in being a blessing to those closest and dearest to us.

So I am there on Sunday for you,  Spencer.  I’ve got a lot to teach you!

Dale