From the deep cobalt blue sky to the sunlit sienna architecture, the town of Santa Fe, New Mexico is quite colorful.  Come with me into a glimpse of this wonderful place…

 

Old Town dances with design around every corner and courtyard, on sidewalks, streets, and plazas.  It is all a feast for the eyes and imagination.  Two experiences stand out in my mind of this day in Santa Fe.  The first took place inside the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.

The baptismal font is located in the center of the cathedral floor along with a pool so that a person from infancy to adulthood may be baptized by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion.  All these forms of baptism are present in the writings of the New Testament.

 

I watched persons entering the cathedral come to the baptismal font and touch the water.  They would place the droplets upon their forehead, make the sign of the cross, or splash slightly with their hands, experiencing the holiness of the water and the moment.  One young man totally wrapped his arms around the large bowl, embracing the grace of God with a full bodied expression of awe as he lifted his face toward Heaven.  That moment is forever embedded in my memory.  If you look closely you can see the water bubbling up in the center of the font.  Recalling the words of Jesus, “I am the living water”, the reality of the ever present Spirit of God is very much alive, always.  Clearly this young man knew!

I saw in my mind a baptism there, with all the people of faith circled around.  A child of any age is present to receive the gift of God’s grace.  The church family is asked, “Will you surround this child with a community of love, that they may be nurtured in their faith and grow in the way that leads to life?”  Echoing within the walls, one voice of unity proclaims, “WE WILL”!  Love is poured out.

Later we found a very old restaurant called The Shed.  Many locals gather here as well as new folks.  We sat down for dinner, seated close to the bar in a very crowded room.  I looked up and looming large above us all was the Christ!  His arms reached out with redeeming love to embrace everyone.

Wow!  One would expect this massive work of art to be above an altar in a huge cathedral.  But here is the Christ right over the bar where all kinds of folks belly up.  I smiled.  Well, this would be Jesus.  And this is Santa Fe!

Just beyond the crucifix another piece of art on the wall caught my eye.  This dolled-up Angel chorus proclaims loudly their “Alleluias”.  Yes!  This too is Santa Fe, colorful community!

nk