One Baptism. Above all, through all, in all.
I will sprinkle clean water upon you,
And you shall be clean from all your uncleanness,
…. I will cleanse you.
A new heart I will give you,
And a new spirit I will put within you.
Ezekiel 36:25-26a
Doris eases herself into the warm bath waters after finishing her Saturday night routine. The shoes polished – white Mary Janes for daughter Sue, brown loafers for son Tom, the well-worn wingtips for her husband Fred, her own white heels – lined up on the rug by back door. The men’s shirts washed and ironed. Fred’s suit freshly pressed and spots cleaned. Her hat and gloves placed on the dresser with her best dress hung behind the bedroom door. The tuna casserole covered with crushed potato chips is ready for the oven to be baked while they are in church. The choir piano accompaniment has been practiced to perfection.
The warmth of the water calms the anxiety that is Doris’s constant companion, filtering the grime of the week from her body and the judgment of others from her soul. Garden dirt caught beneath her finger nails soak away. The salty sweat from scouring floors is scrubbed from her own skin. Hot steam rises, caressing her tired muscles and aching feet. She breathes in a readiness to sleep, if only she can.
All this in preparation for Sunday, the most important part of Doris’s week.
In the morning Doris walks into church surrounded by her family and stops at the font as they enter. Here she remembers another bath, one of God’s creation. Dressed in her finest, dipping her hand into the water and marking the sign of the cross on her forehead, Doris reclaims her dignity, yet again.
Breathprayer: Breathing in: Come to the waters…
Breathing out: … for newness of life.
Reflection: What do you do to reclaim your dignity?
This reflection is written for the Online Lenten Devotions of the Southeast Iowa Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in American.
www.seiasynod.org/lent