Incantations?

Words have meaning, but do they have actual power? Some would say they do. Certainly, people have been both uplifted and hurt by what others say. But do words have the power to determine whether God acts or not?  I would definitely say, “No!”

            Perhaps you have seen the news story about the Catholic priest in Phoenix, Arizona who for twenty years pronounced the baptismal formula as “We baptize you in the name of the…” instead of saying “I baptize you…”  The Catholic diocese has determined that because Fr. Andres Arango used the wrong pronoun all the baptisms he conducted, thousands of them, are invalid. Fr. Andres has resigned. According to the bishop the community does not baptize a person, but Christ and Christ is uniquely present in an ordained priest, according to Roman Catholic doctrine, not the community.

            My point here is not to critique Roman Catholic doctrine of ordination, but question whether anyone’s words, ordained or not, have the power to limit an action of God.

            This controversy harkens back to a third century Church controversy over Donatism, which is the belief that clergy must be faultless in their ministry to be effective and their prayers and sacraments to be valid. In other words, a Donatist would agree that Fr. Andres’ baptisms are indeed invalid. Donatism was rejected by the Church.

            As a Reformed Church pastor it seems ludicrous to me that anything I say can determine whether God acts or not. The words I invoke in a sacrament are not a magical incantation, but a reminder that what God is already doing. My ordination does not give me power as much as it confirms that the Church has entrusted me with the authority to act as God’s ambassador. Ambassadors simply articulate and represent the policy, not determine it. 

            This whole controversy may have you thinking of that seen in “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” where Hermione points out that Ron Weasley is not saying “leviosa” correctly, therefore his feather won’t take flight. The work of the Holy Spirit is not dependent on me. Praise the Lord!