16 September 2005

Today begins a look at the Rite for the Welcome of Inquirers. Kitamori's "Theology of the Pain of God" flows well into these actions and words.

This rite is used "whenever there are baptized people who desire to begin a more public relationship with a Christian congregation, or who are entering a particular period of formation leading to the affirmation of their baptism. The people are to gather at the door of the sanctuary before the entrance hymn where they are greeted. In this rite, the sign of the cross is made on them eight times over eight different parts of their body. It begins with these words: You have heard the holy and saving gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. No receive the sign of the gospel, the sign given you in baptism, on your body and in your heart, that you may know the Lord and the power of his resurrection.

This saving gospel is filled with love and pain and we are reminded of the fullness of God's participation in our story by being reminded of the cross. This cross that was traced on our forehead at our baptism is the shape of that love that we feel and see being traced on our body. As part of our ongoing prayerful contemplation of the meaning of our life within the Reign of God, it is the cross that brings us into the story of the pain of God and the eternal liberation that comes with a love that will endure all things for the life of others. The power of the resurrection is already seen and felt through the simple sign of the cross. For in that sign, we are reminded of the days that followed and the promise made to all of us - a promise of life that is already available - a life in which we are enfolded by the love of God even as we tremble at the voices of wrath that attempt to be the only voice within our lives. This gospel is called a saving gospel because in the midst of every other power that attempts to rule us, this down-to-earth story of God's love active in our lives cannot be destroyed by any power we will face.

Connection: Once within this day - or as many times as you need to do it - it would be good to remind ourselves of this simple and powerful story meant to see us into a new life even as we are in the middle of the everyday activities and powers that can - at times - get the best of us.

Merciful God, we give you thanks for the power of your word of love that is made available in our Lord, Jesus. Through his death, we are marked by the cross, and invited into a new way to walk within this day. We praise you, O God, and we bless you. Amen