Wednesday, January 09, 2013

January 9th Reflection by Bill Lynch



Acts 8:14-17

 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Reflection
Magic and miracles. In magic we are in control. We create a diversion and cause the audience to see or feel or hear or experience something that leads them away from reality. In magic, we are in control, and if our "trick" is discovered all of our control is lost.

In a miracle, God is with us. God comes to us and invades our world. God comes to us and inhabits our hearts. In a miracle, God is present with us. In our baptism God is present with us. God comes to us and gives us grace and love and new life. This is not a magical diversion of water. This is a miraculous event in which an earthly element is combined with a promise and the heavenly presence of God with us.

Peter and John laid their hands on them, not as a magical trick, but in a miracle of God's presence and the people received the Holy Spirit. Right before the eyes of those present. God is present in our baptism. God is present in his children. It's a miracle! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, open my eyes to my baptism each and every day that I may live out the miracle of grace and love that you freely gave to me in a miracle years ago. You are what makes miracles... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

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