Remember Whose You Are

A few summers ago, I spent three days on a silent retreat at a Trappist Monastery up in South Carolina. It was difficult. In fact, at the end of the first day, walking back to my room that night, I thought to myself, “I’m going home tomorrow!” It was difficult – but it was also a powerful, renewing experience. The silence created space for reflection. But there was something else too.

Each evening, I would gather with the monks and sit in the choir loft alongside them for Compline – the last prayer service of the day. At the end of the worship, the sanctuary was darkened and there was only candlelight. We then filed out – one by one – single file in silence. The abbot stood behind the baptismal font, and before we left, individually we would pause and bow our head. The priest had what looked like an orb, and dipped it in the fount and splashed water across our heads.

I thought to myself: Joe, Remember your baptism. Remember who you are.

From there, every night, I walked out into the meadow alone – and walked the labyrinth. I thought about the wild meadow and the wild God we worship.  And I remembered my identity – that I was called to be a part of something much bigger than myself, that I was connected to many who have gone before me and many who will go after me, and to all of those on the journey with me. And I felt a renewed sense of calling and purpose. 

That splash of water was a powerful, visceral reminder, “This is who you are. You belong to God.” 

Sometimes we need reminders. 

It is said that the great reformer Martin Luther, even though he was baptized as an infant, every morning would wake up, splash water on his face, and say to himself: “Martin, remember your baptism.” Remember who you are.  Remember whose you are. Remember who gives you strength, who gives you breath, who gives you dignity, who walks with you. 

Perhaps we could follow his lead.

Let us pray:  Today, O God, we thank you for your claim and calling on our lives. Once again, we commend ourselves to your love, grace, and care. In Jesus’ name. Amen.