RBWords

     In recent years I have begun to focus my preaching at a baby's baptism on one subject.  I beg the parents, Godparents and all those present to give the infant the gift of being able to give and receive love!  I think I came to this as a result of reflecting on my many years of campus ministry and the many weddings that came out of that ministry.  Part of the preparation is learning from the personal stories of the couples, especially their family background.  Where there has been conflict, addiction, abuse or other strong negative factors, there is a warning signal about an ability to trust or forgive, qualities that are essential to a lasting love commitment like marriage.  I urge the parents to make sure their child knows that he or she is truly loved, because later on this will make a vital difference.

     In order to appreciate the statement, "God is love!" one must have some notion, especially some experience, of love.  This is why the parents, who are really the only "God" an infant will know for those vital first months and years, must share their own love.  For people of faith, this gift comes ultimately from God.  For Christians, especially, the example of Jesus is paramount.  The experience of God's love comes, for most people, from meeting loving persons.  The birth of Christ is an example of God "putting skin on" love.  As the Gospel of John says, "God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son."  (John 3:16).  As I approach my seventh decade of life, I am ever grateful for a loving family and for all those friends who continue to teach me how to give and receive love.  They are truly the greatest gift that I could have asked for.  AMEN