Baptism

This week our focus for water is around baptism. The two video clips we used during the service (The Lion King and O Brother Where Art Thou) give us two clear examples of baptism as seen through film. What is interesting to note however is how baptism plays a role in other films without being so overt. A third film that I considered showing but decided against was "V for Vendetta." In V, you have the story of a tortured soul seeking revenge against a 1984 style government that destroyed his life. V, the main character enlists the aide of a young women, Evee in his attempt to bring down the corrupt government and return the power to the people. The moment of baptism comes fairly late in the movie, but it marks an ultimate transformation for Evee. She goes from someone who is still caught up in the structures of conformity and fear that the government has placed over her. Pretending to be the government, V captures her and through her imprisonment she learns to no longer be afraid. Once she abandons her fears she gains a power she never knew she had. This all comes to a climax in a scene where she stands on the rooftop basking in the rain. Her conversion is contrasted with V's own rebirth. His comes from fire and leads to hatred and revenge, hers comes from water and love and leads to new life.
The scene is so powerful to me because in it I see the ways that baptism can work in our lives. I am struck by how we become trapped in the needs and desires of our society. Through baptism we can be born into something new. New life in Christianity frees us from the traditional needs of our society, acceptance, wealth, and ultimately survival. In baptism we are guaranteed a new life with God, a return to relationship with the Divine. In contrast to that the needs of this world become trivial. Martin Luther King, Jr. said that until we overcome the fear of death we can never be free. Evee is able to overcome her fear of death and through baptism we can do the same. In baptism we are promised new life, if we are to take it whole heartily what do we have to fear in death? How do we let our baptism transform our life?
V for Vendetta gives us one perspective on baptism, but how do we see this being shown in other movies, in other pars of our lives. The language and symbols of Christianity are interwoven into the larger culture. As we look for these symbols we can gain a better understanding of the sacred and divine gift of grace that comes through water. How can we see and experience this gift? How can we let it change us and be born anew for God?