Reflection, Repentance, Forgivenes: El día de San Juan Bautista
By Guest Blogger Sandra del Castillo
“Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Mark 1:2-4
In the early 90’s my children and I lived in Pátzcuaro, Michoacán. One June 24th we were visiting a village around the Lake when we noticed youth throwing one another into the plaza fountain, amidst screams of delight and much laughter. They were also carrying buckets of water, which they splashed onto willing or unknowing passersby.
The children and I decided to watch from the shaded sidewalk. Doña Simona, an elderly indigenous woman explained to us that it was St. John the Baptist’s Day.
“Siempre le celebramos a San Juan con agua. Hay que bañarse en agua fresco or estar bañado!” she smiled. We always celebrate St. John with water. You either have to bathe in fresh water or get bathed!
Having lived in different regions of Mexico for over 14 years, I have found that no matter where you live, when el día de San Juan Bautista arrives, be prepared to bathe!
In case you’re not familiar with the biblical tale, John the Baptist was a harbinger of Christ. He wandered the desert in a fervor preaching repentance and forgiveness.
He lived off of honey, locusts, and carob and baptized in the river Jordan. Baptism promised forgiveness and the crowds flocked to the Baptist for their salvation.
As heralded, Jesus arrived one day to ask John to baptize him. John recognized him at once and replied that it was Jesus who should baptize him. When Jesus assured him that the baptism of Jesus by John was the way it must be, John agreed.
During the baptism, the heavens were said to open and a celestial light shone down. A white dove appeared above Jesus’ head and a heavenly voice was heard to say, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.”
The Baptist fell instantly to his knees for he knew the one he had been heralding had arrived at last. Isaiah’s prophesy had been fulfilled.
The story reflects, in part, the power of baptism, humility, and how important it is to do what you were called to do.
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In the opening passage from Mark, former president Jimmy Carter notes that the key words are repentance, baptism, and forgiveness. Sounds like a good summer recipe to me!
A St. John the Baptist Day Recipe
Add one tablespoon of self-reflection, two for repentance.
Add one heaping serving of fresh water, and two more for celebration!
The ritual cleansing with water was a universal practice during the summer solstice, which falls this year on June 21st. Reinvigorating and renewing, it continues to be a joyful way to welcome summer.
This June I encourage you to honor San Juan Bautista with this ancient ritual. To repentance, baptism, and forgiveness, I have added the necessary ingredient, reflection. As el día de San Juan Bautista approaches, there is plenty to repent and ask forgiveness for.
As we move into the summer, let us take the time to reflect, and consider the devastation in the Gulf of Mexico. Though we may not be residents of the gulf coast region who have been suffering the effects of this fatal disaster since April 20th, what happens there affects us all. There is much to pray for.
A powerful tool, prayer has been scientifically proven to be particularly effective when shared in community.
As the oil continues to gush out of control and the “experts” prove unable to cap it, let us be steadfast in our prayer and intent.
Let us pray that the right people find their way to the depths of our ocean floor and stop the mythological beast that has been set loose. Let us pray for the families whose livelihoods and environment are being destroyed as a result, and for the wildlife; that they begin to move and migrate away from their poisoned habitats. Let us pray not just today, but every day until the disaster is contained.
After your prayers and meditation, immerse yourself in a fresh body of water. Regardless the form it takes, whether a clean river, a pool, your shower or a water balloon fight, allow the water of forgiveness to wash over you.
Feel it cleansing and healing your wounds and those you may have caused others. Imagine courageous heroes healing the bleeding puncture wound at our oceans depths with caring and expertise.
I close this prayer to San Juan by paraphrasing two powerful women, first the Chilean novelist Isabel Allende, “Envision not a better world, but “a good one.” and Russian Jewish feminist icon Emma Goldman when she said, “If I can’t dance, I don’t want to be part of your revolution.”Amen and happy summer! |
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