Faith Montage: For the Beauty of Baptism #LetUsPray

Everyone needs a good movie cry every once in a while. Over the past week, I have had two such cleansings.

First, like a good Filipino during Filipino American History Month, I saw Forgotten Island (95% 🍅🍿) twice, and the tears got me both times. Don't let the trailer fool you; it reaches deep into the pinoy/ay soul.

Then, on the recommendation of our Middle kid, this evening I saw If I Go, Will They Miss Me (also 95% 🍅🍿) All aboard the train to Bawler City 😭 Not only was this film visually stunning, but the pace and depth felt countercultural to today's speed of life. It is not playing everywhere, so if you are lucky enough to have it showing in your town, don't sleep on it.

I legit got teary just watching the trailer again.

Hold on to him tight, Don’t let him fly away, don’t let them take him away…tell him you love him.

Seems fitting that my tear-cleansing week would coincide with the section of my Faith Montage on Baptism.

For the Beauty of Baptism #LetUsPray

Let us pray —

In baptism we are RENEWED.
Renewed, refreshed, and reminded by the water of life,
the flowing waters of our ancestors,
the living water of future generations.

Baptized not as a transactional act that purchases God’s favor,
but as a response to what God is doing in our lives and the world.

Baptized not to settle for a future bound by scarcity,
but to see dreams realized that are fueled by the abundance of God.

Baptized not as a private gesture to prove our purity of faith,
but as a public act to proclaim our devotion to one another.

Baptized not as a final destination on our journey to know God,
but as a commitment to return over and over again to the place where the waterfalls, rivers, and streams of living water flow unrestrained.

— Amen.

Breath Prayer

Receive (inhale): Refreshed...
Release (exhale): And cleansed...

Peace,

LITURGY AND PREACHING PROMPTS

20th Sunday After Pentecost, October 11, 2026

The Day's Readings (Year A): Isaiah 25:1-9 | Psalm 23 | Philippians 4:1-9 | Matthew 22:1-14
Readings for Year 1, Matthew: Exodus 19:3-7; 20:1-17, God brings Israel as on eagle’s wings. Matt 5:17, Jesus came not to abolish the law and prophets but to fulfill them.

For readings, I refer to the Vanderbilt Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) and The Narrative Lectionary (NL). For Bible translations, I turn to The Common English Bible (CEB) or New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE). For more liturgical inspiration, check out enfleshed or liturgylink.

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