Living among God's People

First Sunday in Lent

Jesus was in the wilderness forty days - Mark 1:13

Picture of Judean Desert where Jesus was Tempted by the Devil - Photo courtesy of FreeStockPhotos.com


In baptism, God makes a covenant with us. We promise to live among God's faithful people; hear the word of God and share in the supper; proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed; serve all people, following the example of Jesus; and strive for justice and peace in all the earth.

Many churches today make use of the season of Lent as a time for baptismal preparation and renewal. Pastors or other leaders teach the Christian faith those who are new to it. Lent is a time for all Christians to be renewed in baptism. In these Lenten devotions, we will focus on one part of the baptismal covenant each week, as we remember God's grace poured out in the waters of the font and as we journey with those who will be baptised at the Easter Vigil.

Live among God's faithful people. After a person is baptised, the pastor lays hands on him or her, making the sign of the cross on the forehead, and then, at least at some churches, the newly baptized infant , child, or adult is introduced with words like, " We welcome you into the Lord's family....." There are usually lots of smiles, some clapping, and much joy. The assembly shares in God's declaration to Jesus after his baptism, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased" (Mark 1:11).

We say to each newly baptized person: "We welcome you into the body of Christ and into the mission we share." We take responsibility for sharing life in the body of Christ with them. Living with God's faithful people means that we are beloved by God and by those who share with us in the body of Christ.

Above: Satan tries a third time. He brought Jesus to Jerusalem and took him up to the highest part of the temple and told him to jump off. He said that angels would come and lift him up so that he wouldn't be hurt.