WEBVTT

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 Good morning.

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 Each year leading up to New Year's Day,

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 about one-third or so of Americans

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 will make some kind of New Year's resolution.

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 And you can probably guess

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 what some of the most popular resolutions are, right?

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 Eat less, exercise more,

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 and usually take up some kind of new hobby.

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 Last week, however, I read a column in the New York Times

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 in which somebody described a different approach

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 to New Year's resolutions.

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 The author and a group of friends

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 would get together for brunch every New Year's Day,

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 and at the end of the meal,

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 they would write a resolution down on a piece of paper,

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 and then they would put it in a hat,

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 and then everyone would draw from the hat,

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 receiving a random resolution,

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 and that would be their assignment for the coming year.

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 And she writes that usually these resolutions were practical,

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 like fold your clothes at night

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 instead of putting them over a chair.

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 Or sometimes they might be aspirational,

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 like sign up for voice lessons.

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 She writes that one year, however,

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 I drew the following resolution out of the hat.

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 Every morning, when you wake up,

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 stick your arms out at your sides,

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 wiggle your fingers,

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 and say,

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 it's showtime.

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 She says she actually did this faithfully

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 for the month of January before it fell off,

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 but she says that even now,

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 years later,

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 she will occasionally still start her day with,

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 it's showtime.

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 Now, even if they are not as unique as that,

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 there are good reasons why people make New Year's resolutions.

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 And one of those reasons, research shows,

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 is that a key component of change in a person's life

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 is what behavioral scientists call the fresh start effect.

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 People are more likely to pursue positive change in their life

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 at key markers that provide a kind of psychological do-over.

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 And they allow them to put some distance

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 between themselves and their past failures of the previous year

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 and to be sort of newly optimistic about the future.

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 And so studies show that people are more likely to visit the gym

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 after New Year's Day in January

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 and also after a birthday

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 at the start of a new semester

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 and on Mondays.

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 Sometimes those fresh starts that we need

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 that provide us that kind of opportunity for a fresh start,

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 sometimes we don't choose them.

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 Sometimes they find us.

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 There's a unique thing,

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 if it's okay here in January,

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 to talk a little bit early about baseball.

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 I know spring training hasn't even happened.

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 But there's a unique thing that happens

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 when Major League Baseball players

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 get traded from one team to another

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 in the middle of a season.

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 If you get traded to a team in a different league,

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 so if you're playing for a team in the National League

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 and you get traded mid-season to a team in the American League,

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 all of your stats for the year,

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 like your batting average,

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 are reset to zero.

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 And they are calculated afresh

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 from the moment of that trade.

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 It's like the season has just like

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 suddenly started over anew for you.

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 On the other hand,

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 if you get traded to a team in the same league,

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 nothing changes.

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 Your stats just continue

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 as they were through the season.

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 And a recent study looked at over 40 years of data

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 and discovered something fascinating

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 for players who were not having a great season.

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 And they got traded to a team

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 in the other league

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 allowing their stats to be reset.

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 What happened?

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 Their performance got a major boost.

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 Their batting averages improved.

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 They got on base more often.

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 They played better defense.

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 Why?

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 Because they got the chance of a fresh start.

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 They had a new beginning.

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 And today's gospel reading

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 from Luke,

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 where John the Baptist

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 is baptizing in the Jordan River,

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 it's a story about new beginnings.

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 People have heard

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 John's preaching out in the desert,

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 calling them to change their lives,

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 to live more generously,

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 to care for those in need,

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 to be more honest.

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 And they have come to the water's edge

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 to get a fresh start.

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 Luke 3 verse 15 says,

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 the people were in expectation.

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 These were folks that

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 did not have great stats.

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 Their moral batting averages

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 had taken a hit.

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 Their relational integrity was slumping.

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 And here on the banks of the Jordan River,

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 they had an opportunity

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 in the middle of the season

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 to begin again.

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 And so as each person waded in

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 and as John the Baptist

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 lowered them below the water,

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 they might have been recalling stories

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 that they had heard the rabbis

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 talking about in the synagogue.

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 They might have thought about

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 the story of Naaman,

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 who had been instructed

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 by the prophet Elisha

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 to go and wash himself

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 seven times

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 right there in the River Jordan

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 to be healed,

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 to be cleansed

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 from his leprosy.

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 Or they might have

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 reflected on the fact

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 that in the Old Testament,

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 water is a symbol

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 of both destruction

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 and judgment.

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 And they might have remembered

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 Noah being kept safe

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 from the destructive waters

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 of the flood

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 or how Pharaoh's army

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 as they were pursuing

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 the Israelites

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 out of Egypt

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 were drowned

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 in the Red Sea.

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 And so as John the Baptist

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 would lift each person

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 out of the water

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 and as they step back

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 onto dry land,

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 they would have done so

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 with a sense that

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 their sins had been judged

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 and cleansed

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 and they had the opportunity

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 for a fresh start.

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 I think it is entirely possible

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 that no one even noticed

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 when Jesus got in line.

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 Probably no one would have

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 known him

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 or if they did,

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 they knew this was

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 John the Baptist's cousin

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 from Nazareth,

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 50 miles away,

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 who had been working

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 in construction.

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 But in the parallel accounts

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 from Matthew's gospel,

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 we do know that

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 John the Baptist noticed

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 and he says to Jesus

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 effectively,

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 you got in the wrong line.

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 If anything,

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 I need you to baptize me.

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 And I think when we read that,

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 John the Baptist's reaction

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 kind of captures

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 our reaction as well.

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 Our instinctive thought,

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 even if we've read this passage

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 a hundred times before,

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 is that it's a little bit

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 disorienting,

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 it's a little bit jarring

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 when we see Jesus

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 standing in line

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 with everybody else

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 to see somebody

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 who has nothing

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 to repent of

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 standing in line

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 for a baptism

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 of repentance.

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 But this is what

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 we have to remember.

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 Jesus is not in line

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 for his sins

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 but for ours.

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 And this scene

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 is not just a scene

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 of a new beginning

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 for those who are getting baptized.

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 It is also

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 a beginning

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 for Jesus

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 because this is his,

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 this is the beginning

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 of his ministry.

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 This is the inauguration

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 of his ministry.

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 And it is a ministry

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 that is characterized

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 right from the start

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 by him

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 identifying

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 with us.

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 The theologian

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 Carl Barth

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 who was writing

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 just before he died

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 in the final volume

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 of his

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 massive church dogmatics,

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 he wrote

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 that when Jesus

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 stood in line

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 to be baptized

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 with the others,

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 Jesus was not

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 quote

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 being theatrical.

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 Barth writes

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 when Jesus

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 was baptized

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 he needed

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 to be washed

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 of sin.

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 Not his sin

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 but our sin.

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 When faced

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 with the sins

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 of others

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 he did not

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 let those sins

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 remain theirs

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 but as the one

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 ordained

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 from all eternity

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 to be their brother

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 took their sins

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 as his own.

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 And therefore

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 no one

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 who came

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 to the Jordan

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 was as laden

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 and afflicted

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 as he.

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 Jesus'

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 ministry

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 then

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 and now

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 is one

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 in which

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 he identifies

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 with us

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 and accompanies us.

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 Wherever we are

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 no matter

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 how far away

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 from God

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 we might be

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 or we might feel

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 no matter

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 how low

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 at any

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 one time

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 our moral

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 or relational

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 batting average

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 might be

00:10:40.120 --> 00:10:43.239
 Jesus gets in line

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 and stands with us.

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 Even now

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 Paul writes

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 in Romans 8

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 Jesus prays

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 and intercedes

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 for us

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 before the Father.

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 in all

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 of our

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 shortcomings

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 in all

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 of our

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 failures

00:10:55.800 --> 00:10:56.560
 in all

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 of our

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 struggles

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 nothing

00:10:58.280 --> 00:10:59.280
 can change

00:10:59.280 --> 00:10:59.820
 the fact

00:10:59.820 --> 00:11:00.560
 that Jesus

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 is with us

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 that he accompanies us

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 that he does not leave.

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 And in this scene

00:11:08.500 --> 00:11:09.600
 at this

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 inauguration

00:11:11.220 --> 00:11:12.280
 of his public ministry

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 a ministry

00:11:13.220 --> 00:11:13.760
 that is going

00:11:13.760 --> 00:11:14.680
 to be carried out

00:11:14.680 --> 00:11:16.140
 at dinners

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 with

00:11:16.840 --> 00:11:19.020
 partiers

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 and prostitutes

00:11:20.659 --> 00:11:22.699
 and greedy

00:11:22.699 --> 00:11:23.460
 financial

00:11:23.460 --> 00:11:24.079
 analysts

00:11:24.079 --> 00:11:24.659
 known as

00:11:24.659 --> 00:11:25.519
 tax collectors

00:11:25.519 --> 00:11:29.139
 what happens?

00:11:30.039 --> 00:11:30.919
 We see

00:11:30.919 --> 00:11:31.819
 Jesus being

00:11:31.819 --> 00:11:32.779
 empowered

00:11:32.779 --> 00:11:33.539
 by the Spirit

00:11:33.539 --> 00:11:34.539
 and affirmed

00:11:34.539 --> 00:11:35.179
 by the Father

00:11:35.179 --> 00:11:36.000
 in this ministry

00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:36.539
 right there

00:11:36.539 --> 00:11:37.220
 at his baptism.

00:11:37.779 --> 00:11:38.240
 Luke says

00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:39.039
 that the Holy Spirit

00:11:39.039 --> 00:11:40.120
 came down

00:11:40.120 --> 00:11:40.559
 on Jesus

00:11:40.559 --> 00:11:41.199
 in the form

00:11:41.199 --> 00:11:41.819
 of a dove

00:11:41.819 --> 00:11:42.879
 and the voice

00:11:42.879 --> 00:11:43.659
 of God the Father

00:11:43.659 --> 00:11:44.500
 is heard to say

00:11:44.500 --> 00:11:45.299
 you are my beloved

00:11:45.299 --> 00:11:45.659
 son

00:11:45.659 --> 00:11:46.340
 with you

00:11:46.340 --> 00:11:47.199
 I am well pleased.

00:11:47.200 --> 00:11:49.360
 This is by the way

00:11:49.360 --> 00:11:49.960
 the first

00:11:49.960 --> 00:11:50.500
 and perhaps

00:11:50.500 --> 00:11:51.440
 clearest expression

00:11:51.440 --> 00:11:52.060
 of the Trinity

00:11:52.060 --> 00:11:53.100
 in Scripture.

00:11:55.120 --> 00:11:56.160
 And right here

00:11:56.160 --> 00:11:56.660
 we see

00:11:56.660 --> 00:11:57.960
 that the entire

00:11:57.960 --> 00:11:58.900
 Godhead

00:11:58.900 --> 00:12:00.080
 is all in

00:12:00.080 --> 00:12:01.660
 on this ministry

00:12:01.660 --> 00:12:02.259
 of Jesus'

00:12:02.540 --> 00:12:03.580
 solidarity with us.

00:12:09.420 --> 00:12:10.340
 There's also

00:12:10.340 --> 00:12:11.379
 something else

00:12:11.379 --> 00:12:12.259
 for us to consider

00:12:12.259 --> 00:12:13.140
 when we

00:12:13.140 --> 00:12:14.060
 read of Jesus'

00:12:14.280 --> 00:12:14.700
 baptism

00:12:14.700 --> 00:12:15.680
 and that is

00:12:15.680 --> 00:12:16.740
 we're reminded

00:12:16.740 --> 00:12:17.780
 of our own

00:12:17.780 --> 00:12:18.160
 baptism.

00:12:19.620 --> 00:12:20.520
 And just as

00:12:20.520 --> 00:12:20.879
 Jesus'

00:12:21.120 --> 00:12:21.620
 baptism

00:12:21.620 --> 00:12:23.100
 is a means

00:12:23.100 --> 00:12:23.600
 of his

00:12:23.600 --> 00:12:24.020
 solidarity

00:12:24.020 --> 00:12:25.040
 with us

00:12:25.040 --> 00:12:26.240
 our baptism

00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:27.259
 brings us

00:12:27.259 --> 00:12:28.140
 into solidarity

00:12:28.140 --> 00:12:29.040
 with him.

00:12:31.860 --> 00:12:32.580
 Starting

00:12:32.580 --> 00:12:33.420
 in the

00:12:33.420 --> 00:12:35.000
 300s

00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:35.379
 or so

00:12:35.379 --> 00:12:35.720
 when

00:12:35.720 --> 00:12:37.000
 Christianity

00:12:37.000 --> 00:12:37.500
 was

00:12:37.500 --> 00:12:38.840
 growing

00:12:38.840 --> 00:12:39.480
 and expanding

00:12:39.480 --> 00:12:40.280
 across the

00:12:40.280 --> 00:12:41.120
 Roman Empire

00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:41.879
 the church

00:12:41.879 --> 00:12:42.200
 began

00:12:42.200 --> 00:12:43.379
 this massive

00:12:43.379 --> 00:12:44.279
 building

00:12:44.279 --> 00:12:45.000
 campaign

00:12:45.000 --> 00:12:46.060
 which included

00:12:46.060 --> 00:12:46.679
 constructing

00:12:46.679 --> 00:12:47.440
 these beautiful

00:12:47.440 --> 00:12:48.480
 baptisteries

00:12:48.480 --> 00:12:48.879
 some of which

00:12:48.879 --> 00:12:49.360
 we can still

00:12:49.360 --> 00:12:49.899
 see today.

00:12:51.460 --> 00:12:51.879
 And when you

00:12:51.879 --> 00:12:52.440
 look at them

00:12:52.440 --> 00:12:53.399
 and you see

00:12:53.399 --> 00:12:55.100
 the baptismal

00:12:55.100 --> 00:12:55.720
 pools

00:12:55.720 --> 00:12:56.960
 designed

00:12:56.960 --> 00:12:57.899
 around those

00:12:57.899 --> 00:12:59.080
 baptismal pools

00:12:59.080 --> 00:13:00.379
 were vivid

00:13:00.379 --> 00:13:01.460
 frescoes

00:13:01.460 --> 00:13:03.019
 or mosaics

00:13:03.019 --> 00:13:03.700
 of

00:13:03.700 --> 00:13:04.679
 Jesus'

00:13:04.899 --> 00:13:05.259
 baptism.

00:13:06.259 --> 00:13:07.100
 So that

00:13:07.100 --> 00:13:08.240
 as converts

00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:09.100
 go down

00:13:09.100 --> 00:13:09.659
 into the

00:13:09.659 --> 00:13:10.299
 pool of water

00:13:10.299 --> 00:13:11.079
 they do so

00:13:11.079 --> 00:13:11.639
 against a

00:13:11.639 --> 00:13:12.059
 backdrop

00:13:12.059 --> 00:13:13.159
 of Jesus

00:13:13.159 --> 00:13:14.179
 standing in

00:13:14.179 --> 00:13:14.599
 the Jordan

00:13:14.599 --> 00:13:15.419
 with John

00:13:15.419 --> 00:13:15.879
 while the

00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:16.319
 dove of

00:13:16.319 --> 00:13:16.779
 the Spirit

00:13:16.779 --> 00:13:17.339
 is coming

00:13:17.339 --> 00:13:17.879
 down.

00:13:18.019 --> 00:13:18.339
 And so

00:13:18.339 --> 00:13:19.179
 at their

00:13:19.179 --> 00:13:19.579
 own

00:13:19.579 --> 00:13:20.419
 baptism

00:13:20.419 --> 00:13:21.299
 of adult

00:13:21.299 --> 00:13:21.719
 believers

00:13:21.719 --> 00:13:22.399
 they are

00:13:22.399 --> 00:13:22.819
 themselves

00:13:22.819 --> 00:13:23.459
 literally

00:13:23.459 --> 00:13:24.000
 entering

00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:24.599
 into the

00:13:24.599 --> 00:13:25.099
 story

00:13:25.099 --> 00:13:25.699
 of Jesus'

00:13:25.919 --> 00:13:26.259
 baptism.

00:13:28.959 --> 00:13:29.919
 And then

00:13:29.919 --> 00:13:31.120
 just before

00:13:31.120 --> 00:13:31.339
 they're

00:13:31.339 --> 00:13:31.659
 baptized

00:13:31.659 --> 00:13:32.819
 they would

00:13:32.819 --> 00:13:33.120
 make

00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:34.120
 baptismal

00:13:34.120 --> 00:13:34.519
 vows

00:13:34.519 --> 00:13:35.219
 using words

00:13:35.219 --> 00:13:36.099
 very similar

00:13:36.099 --> 00:13:36.979
 to the words

00:13:36.979 --> 00:13:37.559
 that we use

00:13:37.559 --> 00:13:37.899
 in our

00:13:37.899 --> 00:13:38.539
 baptismal

00:13:38.539 --> 00:13:38.879
 vows

00:13:38.879 --> 00:13:39.519
 today.

00:13:40.299 --> 00:13:42.559
 They would

00:13:42.559 --> 00:13:43.159
 say I

00:13:43.159 --> 00:13:44.000
 renounce

00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:44.419
 the devil

00:13:44.419 --> 00:13:44.719
 and all

00:13:44.719 --> 00:13:45.179
 the spiritual

00:13:45.179 --> 00:13:45.819
 forces of

00:13:45.819 --> 00:13:46.159
 wickedness

00:13:46.159 --> 00:13:46.559
 that rebel

00:13:46.559 --> 00:13:47.199
 against God.

00:13:47.939 --> 00:13:48.819
 I renounce

00:13:48.819 --> 00:13:49.740
 the empty

00:13:49.740 --> 00:13:50.240
 promises

00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:50.939
 and deadly

00:13:50.939 --> 00:13:51.559
 deceits of

00:13:51.559 --> 00:13:52.099
 this world

00:13:52.099 --> 00:13:53.319
 that corrupt

00:13:53.319 --> 00:13:54.039
 and destroy

00:13:54.039 --> 00:13:54.620
 the creatures

00:13:54.620 --> 00:13:55.120
 of God.

00:13:55.259 --> 00:13:55.939
 I renounce

00:13:55.939 --> 00:13:56.579
 the sinful

00:13:56.579 --> 00:13:57.279
 desires of

00:13:57.279 --> 00:13:57.759
 the flesh

00:13:57.759 --> 00:13:58.699
 that draw

00:13:58.699 --> 00:13:59.379
 me from

00:13:59.379 --> 00:13:59.699
 the love

00:13:59.699 --> 00:14:00.099
 of God.

00:14:00.299 --> 00:14:01.059
 I turn

00:14:01.059 --> 00:14:01.699
 to Jesus

00:14:01.699 --> 00:14:02.240
 Christ

00:14:02.240 --> 00:14:03.019
 and confess

00:14:03.019 --> 00:14:03.479
 him as

00:14:03.479 --> 00:14:04.159
 my Lord

00:14:04.159 --> 00:14:05.019
 and Savior.

00:14:05.359 --> 00:14:06.299
 I joyfully

00:14:06.299 --> 00:14:06.979
 receive the

00:14:06.979 --> 00:14:07.659
 Christian faith.

00:14:07.659 --> 00:14:08.319
 I will

00:14:08.319 --> 00:14:09.279
 keep God's

00:14:09.279 --> 00:14:09.799
 holy will

00:14:09.799 --> 00:14:10.500
 and commandments

00:14:10.500 --> 00:14:11.579
 and walk

00:14:11.579 --> 00:14:12.100
 in them

00:14:12.100 --> 00:14:12.740
 all the

00:14:12.740 --> 00:14:13.079
 days of

00:14:13.079 --> 00:14:13.600
 my life.

00:14:16.980 --> 00:14:17.799
 And then

00:14:17.799 --> 00:14:18.019
 they were

00:14:18.019 --> 00:14:18.339
 baptized.

00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:20.839
 And they

00:14:20.839 --> 00:14:21.319
 understood

00:14:21.319 --> 00:14:22.339
 that they

00:14:22.339 --> 00:14:22.740
 were being

00:14:22.740 --> 00:14:23.379
 baptized

00:14:23.379 --> 00:14:24.699
 not just

00:14:24.699 --> 00:14:26.000
 with water

00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:27.399
 but baptized

00:14:27.399 --> 00:14:28.159
 in the

00:14:28.159 --> 00:14:28.899
 Holy Spirit.

00:14:30.299 --> 00:14:31.000
 John the

00:14:31.000 --> 00:14:31.299
 Baptist

00:14:31.299 --> 00:14:31.919
 himself

00:14:31.919 --> 00:14:32.779
 said of

00:14:32.779 --> 00:14:33.120
 Christ

00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:34.360
 I baptize

00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:34.720
 you with

00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:35.060
 water

00:14:35.060 --> 00:14:35.860
 but he

00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:36.299
 will

00:14:36.299 --> 00:14:37.080
 baptize

00:14:37.080 --> 00:14:37.340
 you

00:14:37.340 --> 00:14:37.740
 with

00:14:37.740 --> 00:14:37.879
 the

00:14:37.879 --> 00:14:38.080
 Holy

00:14:38.080 --> 00:14:38.460
 Spirit.

00:14:40.519 --> 00:14:40.820
 And so

00:14:40.820 --> 00:14:41.240
 scripture

00:14:41.240 --> 00:14:42.039
 is clear

00:14:42.039 --> 00:14:42.399
 that

00:14:42.399 --> 00:14:43.120
 baptism

00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:44.200
 is not

00:14:44.200 --> 00:14:45.000
 just

00:14:45.000 --> 00:14:45.840
 a

00:14:45.840 --> 00:14:48.120
 outward

00:14:48.120 --> 00:14:48.799
 ritual

00:14:48.799 --> 00:14:49.820
 or a

00:14:49.820 --> 00:14:50.299
 kind of

00:14:50.299 --> 00:14:51.240
 institutional

00:14:51.240 --> 00:14:52.360
 formality.

00:14:54.060 --> 00:14:55.220
 A person

00:14:55.220 --> 00:14:55.620
 who is

00:14:55.620 --> 00:14:56.000
 baptized

00:14:56.000 --> 00:14:56.799
 in water

00:14:56.799 --> 00:14:57.379
 whether

00:14:57.379 --> 00:14:58.039
 that person

00:14:58.039 --> 00:14:58.759
 can remember

00:14:58.759 --> 00:14:59.360
 it or

00:14:59.360 --> 00:14:59.720
 not

00:14:59.720 --> 00:15:00.560
 whether

00:15:00.560 --> 00:15:01.299
 it seemed

00:15:01.299 --> 00:15:02.180
 momentous

00:15:02.179 --> 00:15:02.679
 or not

00:15:02.679 --> 00:15:03.039
 whether

00:15:03.039 --> 00:15:03.559
 they were

00:15:03.559 --> 00:15:04.159
 adults

00:15:04.159 --> 00:15:04.399
 or

00:15:04.399 --> 00:15:05.039
 adolescents

00:15:05.039 --> 00:15:05.979
 or an

00:15:05.979 --> 00:15:06.359
 infant

00:15:06.359 --> 00:15:07.639
 that person

00:15:07.639 --> 00:15:08.519
 is also

00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:09.299
 baptized

00:15:09.299 --> 00:15:10.859
 into the

00:15:10.859 --> 00:15:11.439
 Holy Spirit

00:15:11.439 --> 00:15:12.099
 and then

00:15:12.099 --> 00:15:13.159
 immersed

00:15:13.159 --> 00:15:14.620
 into a

00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:15.099
 new realm

00:15:15.099 --> 00:15:17.059
 the realm

00:15:17.059 --> 00:15:17.639
 of Christ.

00:15:20.339 --> 00:15:21.059
 In Galatians

00:15:21.059 --> 00:15:21.939
 3

00:15:21.939 --> 00:15:22.719
 Paul writes

00:15:22.719 --> 00:15:23.699
 that the

00:15:23.699 --> 00:15:24.519
 believers there

00:15:24.519 --> 00:15:25.739
 he says

00:15:25.739 --> 00:15:26.319
 all of you

00:15:26.319 --> 00:15:26.879
 have been

00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:27.859
 baptized

00:15:27.859 --> 00:15:29.339
 into Christ.

00:15:30.339 --> 00:15:30.799
 In Romans

00:15:30.799 --> 00:15:31.179
 6

00:15:31.179 --> 00:15:31.779
 Paul writes

00:15:31.779 --> 00:15:32.399
 do you

00:15:32.399 --> 00:15:32.879
 not know

00:15:32.879 --> 00:15:33.259
 that all

00:15:33.259 --> 00:15:33.519
 of us

00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:33.799
 who have

00:15:33.799 --> 00:15:34.000
 been

00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:34.779
 baptized

00:15:34.779 --> 00:15:35.360
 into

00:15:35.360 --> 00:15:35.679
 Christ

00:15:35.679 --> 00:15:35.959
 Jesus

00:15:35.959 --> 00:15:36.220
 were

00:15:36.220 --> 00:15:36.720
 baptized

00:15:36.720 --> 00:15:37.139
 into

00:15:37.139 --> 00:15:37.379
 his

00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:37.639
 death.

00:15:37.959 --> 00:15:38.100
 In

00:15:38.100 --> 00:15:38.779
 1 Corinthians

00:15:38.779 --> 00:15:39.299
 12

00:15:39.299 --> 00:15:39.879
 Paul says

00:15:39.879 --> 00:15:40.480
 for in

00:15:40.480 --> 00:15:41.360
 one spirit

00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:42.000
 we were

00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:42.399
 all

00:15:42.399 --> 00:15:43.259
 baptized

00:15:43.259 --> 00:15:44.500
 into

00:15:44.500 --> 00:15:44.759
 one

00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:45.120
 body.

00:15:52.699 --> 00:15:53.339
 What

00:15:53.339 --> 00:15:53.579
 might

00:15:53.579 --> 00:15:54.120
 that

00:15:54.120 --> 00:15:54.539
 mean

00:15:54.539 --> 00:15:55.860
 for us

00:15:55.860 --> 00:15:56.120
 today?

00:15:59.059 --> 00:15:59.839
 Let me

00:15:59.839 --> 00:16:00.639
 suggest

00:16:00.639 --> 00:16:01.220
 two things.

00:16:01.779 --> 00:16:02.779
 baptism

00:16:02.779 --> 00:16:04.419
 first

00:16:04.419 --> 00:16:05.720
 some of

00:16:05.720 --> 00:16:06.039
 us may

00:16:06.039 --> 00:16:06.699
 come from

00:16:06.699 --> 00:16:07.439
 traditions

00:16:07.439 --> 00:16:08.220
 in which

00:16:08.220 --> 00:16:08.919
 baptism

00:16:08.919 --> 00:16:10.439
 doesn't

00:16:10.439 --> 00:16:10.939
 feature

00:16:10.939 --> 00:16:11.939
 as prominently.

00:16:12.679 --> 00:16:13.039
 We may

00:16:13.039 --> 00:16:13.559
 be inclined

00:16:13.559 --> 00:16:13.980
 to talk

00:16:13.980 --> 00:16:14.279
 about

00:16:14.279 --> 00:16:15.199
 decisions

00:16:15.199 --> 00:16:16.339
 we make

00:16:16.339 --> 00:16:17.079
 for Christ

00:16:17.079 --> 00:16:18.039
 or accepting

00:16:18.039 --> 00:16:19.059
 certain truths

00:16:19.059 --> 00:16:21.459
 and all

00:16:21.459 --> 00:16:21.779
 of that

00:16:21.779 --> 00:16:22.339
 is important.

00:16:22.759 --> 00:16:23.240
 All of that

00:16:23.240 --> 00:16:23.699
 is valid.

00:16:25.319 --> 00:16:26.299
 But throughout

00:16:26.299 --> 00:16:27.059
 church history

00:16:27.059 --> 00:16:27.720
 and from the

00:16:27.720 --> 00:16:28.500
 very start

00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:28.820
 of the

00:16:28.820 --> 00:16:29.519
 early church

00:16:29.519 --> 00:16:30.139
 onward

00:16:30.139 --> 00:16:30.620
 baptism

00:16:30.620 --> 00:16:31.159
 was of

00:16:31.159 --> 00:16:31.620
 great

00:16:31.620 --> 00:16:32.299
 importance.

00:16:34.259 --> 00:16:34.620
 At

00:16:34.620 --> 00:16:35.080
 baptism

00:16:35.080 --> 00:16:35.860
 we are

00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:36.600
 immersed

00:16:36.600 --> 00:16:37.860
 or doused

00:16:37.860 --> 00:16:38.700
 in a

00:16:38.700 --> 00:16:39.139
 new

00:16:39.139 --> 00:16:39.899
 reality.

00:16:40.139 --> 00:16:40.759
 The reality

00:16:40.759 --> 00:16:41.240
 of the

00:16:41.240 --> 00:16:41.559
 Father,

00:16:41.860 --> 00:16:42.299
 the Son,

00:16:42.500 --> 00:16:42.860
 and the

00:16:42.860 --> 00:16:43.440
 Holy Spirit.

00:16:44.139 --> 00:16:44.299
 And

00:16:44.299 --> 00:16:44.940
 understood

00:16:44.940 --> 00:16:45.620
 in this

00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:45.879
 way

00:16:45.879 --> 00:16:46.539
 salvation

00:16:46.539 --> 00:16:47.539
 is not

00:16:47.539 --> 00:16:48.460
 just

00:16:48.460 --> 00:16:49.240
 the forgiveness

00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:50.320
 of sins.

00:16:51.379 --> 00:16:51.940
 It is

00:16:51.940 --> 00:16:52.279
 that.

00:16:52.279 --> 00:16:54.379
 but salvation

00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:55.240
 is also

00:16:55.240 --> 00:16:55.980
 about human

00:16:55.980 --> 00:16:56.679
 persons

00:16:56.679 --> 00:16:57.600
 entering

00:16:57.600 --> 00:16:58.480
 into a

00:16:58.480 --> 00:16:58.879
 new

00:16:58.879 --> 00:16:59.579
 reality,

00:16:59.899 --> 00:17:00.639
 the relational

00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:01.379
 dynamic

00:17:01.379 --> 00:17:02.120
 of the

00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:02.379
 Trinity.

00:17:04.519 --> 00:17:05.200
 And over

00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:05.799
 time

00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:06.879
 we begin

00:17:06.879 --> 00:17:07.700
 to undertake

00:17:07.700 --> 00:17:08.839
 certain

00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:09.480
 activities

00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:10.480
 such as

00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:11.420
 learning to

00:17:11.420 --> 00:17:11.960
 pray without

00:17:11.960 --> 00:17:12.460
 ceasing

00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:14.220
 that enable

00:17:14.220 --> 00:17:15.019
 us to

00:17:15.019 --> 00:17:15.680
 participate

00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:16.740
 in that

00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:17.299
 relational

00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:17.899
 dynamic

00:17:17.899 --> 00:17:19.019
 in increasingly

00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:19.759
 deep ways.

00:17:22.279 --> 00:17:26.839
 second,

00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:29.879
 there are

00:17:29.879 --> 00:17:31.220
 opportunities

00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:32.559
 at various

00:17:32.559 --> 00:17:33.319
 points in

00:17:33.319 --> 00:17:33.759
 the church

00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:34.740
 calendar for

00:17:34.740 --> 00:17:36.059
 congregations

00:17:36.059 --> 00:17:37.420
 to renew

00:17:37.420 --> 00:17:39.039
 or reaffirm

00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:40.599
 their baptismal

00:17:40.599 --> 00:17:41.000
 vows.

00:17:41.879 --> 00:17:42.460
 Often that's

00:17:42.460 --> 00:17:43.019
 done at Easter

00:17:43.019 --> 00:17:43.799
 but it can

00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:44.519
 also occur on

00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:45.019
 other feast

00:17:45.019 --> 00:17:46.019
 days such as

00:17:46.019 --> 00:17:46.899
 Pentecost Sunday

00:17:46.899 --> 00:17:47.519
 or All Saints

00:17:47.519 --> 00:17:47.819
 Day.

00:17:49.779 --> 00:17:50.399
 But

00:17:50.399 --> 00:17:51.619
 there is

00:17:51.619 --> 00:17:52.359
 another way

00:17:52.359 --> 00:17:53.119
 that the

00:17:53.119 --> 00:17:53.859
 church fathers

00:17:53.859 --> 00:17:54.639
 say that

00:17:54.639 --> 00:17:55.500
 our baptism

00:17:55.500 --> 00:17:56.919
 can be

00:17:56.919 --> 00:17:57.299
 brought

00:17:57.299 --> 00:17:58.119
 into

00:17:58.119 --> 00:17:59.319
 the present

00:17:59.319 --> 00:18:00.279
 and that

00:18:00.279 --> 00:18:00.739
 they say

00:18:00.739 --> 00:18:01.159
 is through

00:18:01.159 --> 00:18:01.899
 the practice

00:18:01.899 --> 00:18:02.559
 of

00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:03.379
 repentance.

00:18:05.979 --> 00:18:06.879
 One of the

00:18:06.879 --> 00:18:07.500
 desert fathers

00:18:07.500 --> 00:18:08.000
 was known

00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:08.459
 as

00:18:08.459 --> 00:18:10.199
 Mark

00:18:10.199 --> 00:18:10.479
 the

00:18:10.479 --> 00:18:10.899
 ascetic.

00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:12.759
 He was a

00:18:12.759 --> 00:18:13.419
 disciple of

00:18:13.419 --> 00:18:14.039
 St. John

00:18:14.039 --> 00:18:14.659
 Chrysostom.

00:18:15.639 --> 00:18:16.079
 He lived

00:18:16.079 --> 00:18:16.599
 in Egypt

00:18:16.599 --> 00:18:16.919
 in the

00:18:16.919 --> 00:18:17.679
 400s

00:18:17.679 --> 00:18:18.879
 and Mark

00:18:18.879 --> 00:18:19.839
 writes this

00:18:19.839 --> 00:18:21.579
 at baptism

00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:22.759
 Christ

00:18:22.759 --> 00:18:24.079
 comes to

00:18:24.079 --> 00:18:24.939
 live in

00:18:24.939 --> 00:18:25.740
 the innermost

00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:26.439
 part of

00:18:26.439 --> 00:18:27.019
 our being

00:18:27.019 --> 00:18:27.919
 without

00:18:27.919 --> 00:18:29.159
 our realizing

00:18:29.159 --> 00:18:29.759
 it at

00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:30.159
 first.

00:18:31.119 --> 00:18:31.599
 And we

00:18:31.599 --> 00:18:32.179
 only become

00:18:32.179 --> 00:18:32.939
 conscious of

00:18:32.939 --> 00:18:33.779
 it over

00:18:33.779 --> 00:18:34.319
 the course

00:18:34.319 --> 00:18:34.740
 of our

00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:35.220
 gradual

00:18:35.220 --> 00:18:36.099
 transformation.

00:18:38.179 --> 00:18:39.259
 And a key

00:18:39.259 --> 00:18:40.159
 component of

00:18:40.159 --> 00:18:40.859
 that transformation

00:18:40.859 --> 00:18:41.659
 he writes

00:18:41.659 --> 00:18:43.079
 is repentance

00:18:43.079 --> 00:18:44.079
 which he

00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:44.959
 calls the

00:18:44.959 --> 00:18:45.859
 renewal of

00:18:45.859 --> 00:18:46.500
 our baptism.

00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:47.799
 and he

00:18:47.799 --> 00:18:48.420
 writes that

00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:49.500
 there are

00:18:49.500 --> 00:18:50.220
 two kinds

00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:50.799
 of repentance.

00:18:52.880 --> 00:18:54.019
 The first

00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:54.920
 he calls

00:18:54.920 --> 00:18:56.079
 liturgical

00:18:56.079 --> 00:18:57.059
 repentance

00:18:57.059 --> 00:18:57.960
 such as

00:18:57.960 --> 00:18:58.500
 what we do

00:18:58.500 --> 00:18:59.420
 here on

00:18:59.420 --> 00:19:00.140
 Sundays

00:19:00.140 --> 00:19:00.940
 or what

00:19:00.940 --> 00:19:02.380
 we would

00:19:02.380 --> 00:19:03.299
 pray in

00:19:03.299 --> 00:19:03.619
 the daily

00:19:03.619 --> 00:19:04.180
 office from

00:19:04.180 --> 00:19:04.420
 the book

00:19:04.420 --> 00:19:04.779
 of common

00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:05.099
 prayer.

00:19:06.099 --> 00:19:06.579
 And the

00:19:06.579 --> 00:19:07.279
 second kind

00:19:07.279 --> 00:19:07.839
 of repentance

00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:09.240
 is a repentance

00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:10.000
 that becomes

00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:11.140
 increasingly

00:19:11.140 --> 00:19:12.119
 habitual

00:19:12.119 --> 00:19:13.140
 in our

00:19:13.140 --> 00:19:13.519
 hearts.

00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:15.460
 where we

00:19:15.460 --> 00:19:16.740
 become more

00:19:16.740 --> 00:19:17.460
 aware of our

00:19:17.460 --> 00:19:18.019
 shortcomings

00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:18.859
 and failures

00:19:18.859 --> 00:19:19.379
 and we

00:19:19.379 --> 00:19:20.299
 experience

00:19:20.299 --> 00:19:21.700
 greater humility

00:19:21.700 --> 00:19:22.480
 in our

00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:23.359
 efforts to

00:19:23.359 --> 00:19:23.819
 grow and

00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:24.420
 we become

00:19:24.420 --> 00:19:25.400
 more attentive

00:19:25.400 --> 00:19:26.420
 to the

00:19:26.420 --> 00:19:27.139
 slow

00:19:27.139 --> 00:19:27.720
 often

00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:28.720
 imperceptible

00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:29.579
 work of

00:19:29.579 --> 00:19:30.099
 God's grace

00:19:30.099 --> 00:19:30.400
 in our

00:19:30.400 --> 00:19:30.700
 lives.

00:19:32.259 --> 00:19:32.980
 And over

00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:33.400
 time

00:19:33.400 --> 00:19:34.859
 we develop

00:19:34.859 --> 00:19:35.700
 a posture

00:19:35.700 --> 00:19:36.599
 of repentance

00:19:36.599 --> 00:19:37.220
 in our

00:19:37.220 --> 00:19:37.559
 hearts

00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:38.819
 that gives

00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:39.720
 God more

00:19:39.720 --> 00:19:40.359
 space

00:19:40.359 --> 00:19:41.160
 to work.

00:19:41.160 --> 00:19:43.180
 But here's

00:19:43.180 --> 00:19:43.400
 what's

00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:43.759
 interesting.

00:19:45.060 --> 00:19:45.840
 The fathers

00:19:45.840 --> 00:19:46.400
 say that the

00:19:46.400 --> 00:19:46.940
 second type

00:19:46.940 --> 00:19:47.500
 of repentance

00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:48.440
 the habitual

00:19:48.440 --> 00:19:49.279
 heart level

00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:49.840
 repentance

00:19:49.840 --> 00:19:51.160
 is built

00:19:51.160 --> 00:19:52.300
 on and

00:19:52.300 --> 00:19:53.620
 depends on

00:19:53.620 --> 00:19:54.420
 the first

00:19:54.420 --> 00:19:55.200
 type of

00:19:55.200 --> 00:19:55.640
 repentance

00:19:55.640 --> 00:19:56.900
 which is

00:19:56.900 --> 00:19:57.560
 formal

00:19:57.560 --> 00:19:58.560
 and liturgical.

00:20:00.120 --> 00:20:00.840
 Regular

00:20:00.840 --> 00:20:01.620
 formal

00:20:01.620 --> 00:20:02.259
 repentance

00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:03.000
 they say

00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:04.200
 can create

00:20:04.200 --> 00:20:04.960
 space

00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:06.180
 for deeper

00:20:06.180 --> 00:20:06.900
 work

00:20:06.900 --> 00:20:07.720
 to occur.

00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:07.759
 prayer.

00:20:11.559 --> 00:20:12.259
 So what

00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:12.700
 this means

00:20:12.700 --> 00:20:13.279
 practically

00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:13.839
 is that

00:20:13.839 --> 00:20:15.779
 when I

00:20:15.779 --> 00:20:16.200
 pray the

00:20:16.200 --> 00:20:16.400
 morning

00:20:16.400 --> 00:20:16.759
 office

00:20:16.759 --> 00:20:17.100
 when I

00:20:17.100 --> 00:20:17.519
 open up

00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:17.880
 the app

00:20:17.880 --> 00:20:18.200
 on my

00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:18.480
 phone

00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:18.759
 with

00:20:18.759 --> 00:20:20.000
 morning

00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:20.480
 prayer

00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:21.420
 on it

00:20:21.420 --> 00:20:22.240
 and the

00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:22.640
 confession

00:20:22.640 --> 00:20:23.059
 of sin

00:20:23.059 --> 00:20:23.500
 is right

00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:23.779
 there at

00:20:23.779 --> 00:20:24.140
 the beginning

00:20:24.140 --> 00:20:24.900
 every

00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:25.480
 single

00:20:25.480 --> 00:20:25.980
 morning

00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:27.720
 in

00:20:27.720 --> 00:20:28.240
 morning

00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:28.860
 prayer

00:20:28.860 --> 00:20:30.960
 that

00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:31.440
 confession

00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:31.900
 of sin

00:20:31.900 --> 00:20:32.759
 is something

00:20:32.759 --> 00:20:33.259
 I can

00:20:33.259 --> 00:20:33.779
 kind of

00:20:33.779 --> 00:20:35.079
 rush

00:20:35.079 --> 00:20:35.480
 through

00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:36.240
 as a

00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:36.480
 rote

00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:36.860
 prayer.

00:20:36.859 --> 00:20:37.779
 Almighty

00:20:37.779 --> 00:20:38.359
 and merciful

00:20:38.359 --> 00:20:38.879
 God

00:20:38.879 --> 00:20:39.979
 we have

00:20:39.979 --> 00:20:40.439
 erred and

00:20:40.439 --> 00:20:40.859
 strayed from

00:20:40.859 --> 00:20:41.299
 your ways

00:20:41.299 --> 00:20:41.859
 like lost

00:20:41.859 --> 00:20:42.139
 sheep

00:20:42.139 --> 00:20:42.459
 we have

00:20:42.459 --> 00:20:43.000
 followed too

00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:43.419
 much the

00:20:43.419 --> 00:20:44.539
 devices and

00:20:44.539 --> 00:20:45.159
 desires of

00:20:45.159 --> 00:20:45.479
 our own

00:20:45.479 --> 00:20:45.799
 hearts

00:20:45.799 --> 00:20:46.379
 we have

00:20:46.379 --> 00:20:46.719
 offended

00:20:46.719 --> 00:20:47.259
 against your

00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:48.059
 holy laws

00:20:48.059 --> 00:20:50.419
 I can do

00:20:50.419 --> 00:20:50.859
 that as a

00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:51.399
 rote prayer

00:20:51.399 --> 00:20:53.039
 or

00:20:53.039 --> 00:20:54.839
 it's an

00:20:54.839 --> 00:20:55.419
 opportunity

00:20:55.419 --> 00:20:56.559
 to slow

00:20:56.559 --> 00:20:56.979
 down

00:20:56.979 --> 00:20:58.299
 and reflect

00:20:58.299 --> 00:21:00.599
 to repent

00:21:00.599 --> 00:21:01.740
 specifically

00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:02.899
 and daily

00:21:02.899 --> 00:21:04.019
 of what may

00:21:04.019 --> 00:21:04.879
 sometimes be

00:21:04.879 --> 00:21:05.479
 just

00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:06.819
 simply

00:21:06.819 --> 00:21:07.500
 hidden

00:21:07.500 --> 00:21:08.599
 selfishness

00:21:08.599 --> 00:21:10.579
 but which

00:21:10.579 --> 00:21:11.140
 creates

00:21:11.140 --> 00:21:11.880
 barriers

00:21:11.880 --> 00:21:12.640
 to me

00:21:12.640 --> 00:21:12.980
 becoming

00:21:12.980 --> 00:21:13.440
 more like

00:21:13.440 --> 00:21:13.819
 Christ

00:21:13.819 --> 00:21:17.200
 using

00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:17.839
 liturgical

00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:18.319
 prayer

00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:19.240
 thoughtfully

00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:20.079
 and reflectively

00:21:20.079 --> 00:21:20.660
 can

00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:21.980
 over time

00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:23.360
 create space

00:21:23.360 --> 00:21:23.640
 in our

00:21:23.640 --> 00:21:23.940
 hearts

00:21:23.940 --> 00:21:26.160
 in which

00:21:26.160 --> 00:21:26.620
 deeper

00:21:26.620 --> 00:21:27.299
 transformation

00:21:27.299 --> 00:21:28.140
 can occur

00:21:28.140 --> 00:21:28.860
 and where

00:21:28.860 --> 00:21:29.519
 Christ begins

00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:30.059
 to shine

00:21:30.059 --> 00:21:30.720
 in our lives

00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:31.360
 that much

00:21:31.360 --> 00:21:31.839
 more brightly

00:21:31.839 --> 00:21:36.299
 repentance

00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:36.779
 is a way

00:21:36.779 --> 00:21:37.240
 of bringing

00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:37.500
 our

00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:38.439
 baptismal

00:21:38.439 --> 00:21:38.819
 vows

00:21:38.819 --> 00:21:39.319
 forward

00:21:39.319 --> 00:21:40.059
 and

00:21:40.059 --> 00:21:40.759
 activating

00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:41.339
 the grace

00:21:41.339 --> 00:21:42.240
 of baptism

00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:43.199
 given to us

00:21:43.199 --> 00:21:43.740
 with the Holy

00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:44.199
 Spirit

00:21:44.199 --> 00:21:45.199
 right in the

00:21:45.199 --> 00:21:45.500
 present

00:21:45.500 --> 00:21:48.659
 and in this

00:21:48.659 --> 00:21:49.179
 respect

00:21:49.179 --> 00:21:50.179
 then

00:21:50.179 --> 00:21:51.799
 new beginnings

00:21:51.799 --> 00:21:52.519
 are not

00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:52.959
 just

00:21:52.959 --> 00:21:53.659
 limited

00:21:53.659 --> 00:21:54.259
 to

00:21:54.259 --> 00:21:55.459
 New Year's

00:21:55.459 --> 00:21:55.759
 Day

00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:56.919
 or birthdays

00:21:56.920 --> 00:21:58.740
 or new

00:21:58.740 --> 00:21:59.340
 semesters

00:21:59.340 --> 00:22:00.680
 or Mondays

00:22:00.680 --> 00:22:03.720
 the gift

00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:05.080
 of daily

00:22:05.080 --> 00:22:05.880
 repentance

00:22:05.880 --> 00:22:08.039
 which begins

00:22:08.039 --> 00:22:09.300
 and remains

00:22:09.300 --> 00:22:10.000
 liturgical

00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:11.200
 but increasingly

00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:12.560
 becomes habitual

00:22:12.560 --> 00:22:13.980
 and from the heart

00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:15.840
 is one way

00:22:15.840 --> 00:22:16.320
 of putting

00:22:16.320 --> 00:22:17.100
 into practice

00:22:17.100 --> 00:22:18.000
 that reminder

00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:18.940
 from Saint

00:22:18.940 --> 00:22:19.539
 Benedict

00:22:19.539 --> 00:22:20.920
 always we

00:22:20.920 --> 00:22:21.580
 begin again

00:22:21.579 --> 00:22:23.740
 always

00:22:23.740 --> 00:22:24.559
 we begin

00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:24.939
 again

00:22:24.939 --> 00:22:27.319
 and so

00:22:27.319 --> 00:22:27.599
 perhaps

00:22:27.599 --> 00:22:28.159
 we can

00:22:28.159 --> 00:22:29.419
 ask ourselves

00:22:29.419 --> 00:22:30.579
 at this

00:22:30.579 --> 00:22:31.139
 start of the

00:22:31.139 --> 00:22:31.480
 new year

00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:31.799
 as we

00:22:31.799 --> 00:22:32.919
 reflect on

00:22:32.919 --> 00:22:33.619
 Jesus'

00:22:33.839 --> 00:22:34.279
 baptism

00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:34.779
 and our

00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:35.119
 own

00:22:35.119 --> 00:22:37.859
 where do

00:22:37.859 --> 00:22:38.179
 I want

00:22:38.179 --> 00:22:38.539
 to grow

00:22:38.539 --> 00:22:39.339
 this year

00:22:39.339 --> 00:22:42.079
 where do

00:22:42.079 --> 00:22:42.439
 I want

00:22:42.439 --> 00:22:42.960
 to become

00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:43.500
 more

00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:44.159
 free

00:22:44.159 --> 00:22:46.619
 where do

00:22:46.619 --> 00:22:47.439
 I long

00:22:47.439 --> 00:22:48.139
 to become

00:22:48.139 --> 00:22:48.939
 more like

00:22:48.939 --> 00:22:49.339
 Christ

00:22:49.339 --> 00:22:52.359
 and then

00:22:52.359 --> 00:22:52.879
 we seek

00:22:52.879 --> 00:22:53.339
 to live

00:22:53.339 --> 00:22:53.799
 out our

00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:54.539
 baptismal

00:22:54.539 --> 00:22:55.000
 vows

00:22:55.000 --> 00:22:55.939
 with the

00:22:55.939 --> 00:22:56.359
 power of

00:22:56.359 --> 00:22:56.679
 the Holy

00:22:56.679 --> 00:22:57.159
 Spirit

00:22:57.159 --> 00:22:58.039
 through the

00:22:58.039 --> 00:22:58.839
 practice

00:22:58.839 --> 00:22:59.779
 of daily

00:22:59.779 --> 00:23:00.179
 repentance

00:23:00.179 --> 00:23:02.919
 we know

00:23:02.919 --> 00:23:03.459
 that we'll

00:23:03.459 --> 00:23:03.959
 fail

00:23:03.959 --> 00:23:04.720
 we know

00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:05.220
 that the

00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:06.059
 path

00:23:06.059 --> 00:23:06.419
 to

00:23:06.419 --> 00:23:07.000
 transformation

00:23:07.000 --> 00:23:08.419
 is long

00:23:08.419 --> 00:23:09.439
 and slow

00:23:09.439 --> 00:23:11.859
 but we

00:23:11.859 --> 00:23:12.639
 will also

00:23:12.639 --> 00:23:13.299
 remembering

00:23:13.299 --> 00:23:14.039
 with each

00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:15.019
 faltering

00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:15.559
 step

00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:17.659
 that

00:23:17.659 --> 00:23:18.220
 Jesus

00:23:18.220 --> 00:23:19.139
 who began

00:23:19.140 --> 00:23:19.580
 his

00:23:19.580 --> 00:23:20.220
 ministry

00:23:20.220 --> 00:23:21.500
 standing

00:23:21.500 --> 00:23:22.340
 in line

00:23:22.340 --> 00:23:22.820
 with

00:23:22.820 --> 00:23:23.259
 sinners

00:23:23.259 --> 00:23:23.860
 is

00:23:23.860 --> 00:23:24.259
 standing

00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:25.080
 right there

00:23:25.080 --> 00:23:25.800
 beside us

00:23:25.800 --> 00:23:27.740
 amen

00:23:27.740 --> 00:23:27.779
 отправ