Scripture used: Acts 15:1-2, 22-29, Rev. 21:10-14, 22-23, Jn 14:23-29

I. What are your hopes and expectations for (Drake/Luella, Evelyn)?

What do you envision for Drake/Luella, Evelyn when they are adults?

How will you get there? How will you achieve these goals?

II. I have a suggestion – help, guide, mentor, lead him/her to love Jesus. Jesus says
in the gospel “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.”
“Whoever loves me will keep my word…”

As disciples of Jesus we want to listen to and do God’s word – because we
believe God’s word is good for us. But Jesus doesn’t say – obey me! Do what I tell
you!

No, he says – if you love me, then you will keep my word. What comes first is
loving. And then comes the doing.

II. And doesn’t that seem true?

Do you think that Drake – Luella – Evelyn – will do everything you tell him
her?!

Do you think he/she will ever give you any push-back?

Certainly he/she will. But, it seems that if you love him/her and they learn
to love you, then it will go a lot easier for you. They may not want to do what you
tell him/her but if love is the basis, then it will go a lot easier.

III. That seems to be what Jesus is saying – whoever loves me will keep my word. If
we love Jesus then we will want to keep his word.
-if Drake/Luella, Evelyn learn to love Jesus, then they will be more open to
listening to Jesus’ words – his teachings – and their life will go a lot easier.
- it doesn’t mean life is going to be an easy road; it means they will have a
solid foundation upon which to build a life filled with peace, contentment,
trust.

IV. This is the life into which you are baptizing Drake, Luella, Evelyn today. It’s a
wonderful, beautiful, fulfilling life – especially if and when we love Jesus.

The gospel we just heard is part of what we call Jesus’ Last Supper Discourse. It
sounds like after the meal Jesus gets up and gives an after dinner speech. It is then
Jesus washes the feet of the disciples, it is then he tries to break that open and
explain what that meant and it is then he gives us all sorts of memorable quotes:
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.”
“In my Father’s house are many rooms.”
“I go to prepare a place for you.”
“I am the Way, the Truth, the Life.”
“Love one another as I have loved you.”
“I am the Vine, you are the branches. Apart from me you can do nothing.”
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you.”
“I go to prepare a place for you and I will come back again and take you to myself, so
that where I am going you also may be.”

You are introducing Drake/Luella/Evelyn into a life:

• of deep peace, a life of trust and contentment
• a life where Jesus will walk with him/her – I am the way, the truth and the
  life
• a life in which Jesus wants to be connected with us: I am the Vine, you are
  the branches
• a life in which Jesus gives us his peace.
• And a life which leads to an eternal dwelling place.

V. “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will
come to him and make our dwelling with him.”
- through baptism, Jesus and the Father come to dwell with us. What does
it mean to dwell? It means to have a home. A dwelling is a home. It’s
not a shelter or a lean-to or a tent – it’s a home.
- Jesus and the Father come to make a dwelling with us – with Drake,
Luella, Evelyn in this life
- But also for the next.

Baptism is the beginning of a beautiful life, where Jesus walks with us, making a
dwelling with us and leading us to the joys of an eternal dwelling place in heaven.

Are you ready to baptize?

--Fr. Dwayne