Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16

Naming

In my family three new babies arrived in the last year. Parents look beforehand for names for those children. Some names have meanings, like Daniel—God is my judge; David—beloved; Sharon—the plains; Douglas—dark river.

In infant baptism, parents and congregations make a covenant with God to raise the child and train the child to love God. Covenants are meant to be honored by all who make the covenant.

In the text for today, God makes a covenant with Abram and Sarai to make of them multitudes of nations and in doing so changed their names. Abram, which means exalted father, became Abraham, meaning father of multitudes. Sarai, which means princess, became Sarah, meaning duchess or queen of multitudes.

Abram and Sarai had no child together. Abram had a child with Sarai’s servant, who named him Ishmael. But with the covenant God gave Abraham and Sarah a child who had a child and grandchildren. Abraham is the father of the Jews and the Arabs. Abraham is our spiritual father also.

Prayer: Loving God, we are thankful you know each of us by name. Thank you for the covenant we have with you through the life and death of your son Jesus Christ.

                                                                                 —David VanHeest

Mark 1:9-11

Baptism of Christ -- Cappella Palatina de Palermo

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

On that day,
in the River Jordan
your child was lifted up
and you poured down on him your
Love and Spirit and called him
Son
        and
baptized him

So that we might, your children,
your bent world,
be lifted up.

As you poured out your Son, so you
poured out on us your love
        to seal us
as your own.

                                                                                          —Arda Rooks