Happy Baptismday to Me

Dear Friends

The newspaper article above announces the day I was born, May 25, 1952. It must have been a slow news day! 

Here is the article: 

It was a busy day and joyous one for the Rev. John Kimball Saville, rector of St. Michael's Episcopal church this last Sunday. Their first son and fourth child (was) born to Reverend and Mrs. Saville at St. Vincent's hospital, Los Angeles, at 5 am.

Rushing to Los Angeles, the Rector stayed with his wife and new son for a short time before returning home to take over his pastorate duties at St. Michael's. The remainder of the day was one of continual congratulations, all delightfully received as John Kimball Saville III was as "welcome as the flowers in May" not only as the son in the family but as brother-playmate for the young Misses Susan Anne, age eight, Deborah Elizabeth, age five, and little Mary Rebecca, age two.

Both mother and son are reported as doing nicely.

Exactly twenty-eight weeks later, December 7, 1952, I was born again by and through the sacrament of baptism. To my knowledge, there was no news coverage.  I do have a nice church certificate.

While most of the world rightfully remembers today as the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, I also remember it as the day I became a member of the Body of Christ. Presenting me for baptism I now see as one of the most important gifts my parents gave me, including raising me in the church I love.

May 25^th is the feast of Bede the Venerable, 8^th century priest and monk, whose claim to fame includes writing “The Ecclesiastical History of England”. Unlike me, he was known as the greatest scholar of his time in the Western Church.

December 7^th is the feast of Ambrose, 4^th century Bishop of Milan. It’s a longer story, but he was attending a deadlocked convention as a mediator and suddenly a crowd began chanting “Ambrose shall be our bishop!”. Over his protests, the non-candidate (who wasn’t even baptized yet), was elected. Hastily baptized, he was then ordained bishop on this day in 373.

After his baptism, he wrote, “After the font (of baptism), the Holy Spirit is poured on you, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and godliness, and the spirit of holy fear.”

Also, these words from a meditation are attributed to Ambrose:

Lord Jesus Christ

You are for me medicine when I am sick

You are my strength when I need help

You are life itself when I fear death

You are the way when I long for heaven

You are light when all is dark

You are my food when I need nourishment.

I am thankful for my birth, of course. But I am also so thankful for my baptism (as I am sure you are) and for these words of Ambrose which continue to guide me as I continue to try to grow up into the full stature of Christ.

John

P.S. I am happy to report that the words of several hymns in our Hymnal are from Ambrose. His words from Hymn 22 seem especially appropriate to pray for our country right now:

Quench now on earth the flames of strife

From passions heat preserve our life

And while you keep our body whole

Pour healing peace upon our soul