This morning I read Matthew 3. John the baptiser — baptism was the means of conversion of Gentiles, when they were symbolcally severed from their old, pagan life (both men and women: the men were also circumcused).

John used this to allow The Jews to also rededicate themselves. To abjure their wrongdoing, and to move into a life of repentance. He was doing this… and then members of both the liberal and theocratic branches of the elite came for baptism.

It is recorded that John demanded that they show fruit of repentance. However, they were aware that they needed to change. Today’s lectionary has one of the great penitent prayers:

Psalm 51

1Have mercy on me, O God,according to your steadfast love;according to your abundant mercyblot out my transgressions.2Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,and cleanse me from my sin.3For I know my transgressions,and my sin is ever before me.

4Against you, you alone, have I sinned,and done what is evil in your sight,so that you are justified in your sentenceand blameless when you pass judgment.5Indeed, I was born guilty,a sinner when my mother conceived me.

You desire truth in the inward being;therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.8Let me hear joy and gladness;let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.9Hide your face from my sins,and blot out all my iniquities.

I really wonder if our religious leadership would be prepared to humble themselves — go to the desert, and listen to a man in a hairshirt. To sit with whores and traitors, awaiting baptism. We are very good with words, but do we bear the fruit of repentance? For we are all afflicted with weaknesses and we are all bound down by evil habits.

Paul has some comments — again from today’s lectionary.

Romans 12:9-21

⁹Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; ¹⁰love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. ¹¹Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. ¹²Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. ¹³Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

¹⁴Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. ¹⁵Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. ¹⁷Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. ¹⁸If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

via Daily Lectionary Readings — Devotions and Readings — Ministries & Programs — GAMC.

The Greek theologians say that you need to viscerally hate the evil that is in you, for this drives you to the good. But hate is strong stuff. Hatred drives people to blow themselves up if they can take a thousand.. a hundred… ten… even one of the enemy with them, We are commanded to love, to be humble, and to pray for those we hate.

In all this, I am quite disobedient. As the psalmist says: I am in error. It is my responsibility: I can only ask for mercy. And I have to pray for forgiveness, and for blessings on my enemies.