Promises for Beloved Community

From baptismal waters to the white coat’s first wear, promises have the power to bind us together in love and purpose.

I recently had the joy of attending my son’s White Coat Ceremony, a milestone that marks the beginning of his medical career. The ceremony culminated in the recitation of Tulane School of Medicine’s Physicians’ Oath—a beautiful, solemn pledge to serve with conscience and dignity, to treat all people with respect, to work for justice, and to place the well-being of others above self-interest.

As the new medical students stood and spoke the words aloud, I was struck by how much this moment felt like something we will do this Sunday, the renewal of the Baptismal Covenant. We will stand together and affirm our faith in the Triune God, declare that resurrection is real, and commit to live in ways that reflect God’s dream for humanity.

In our Baptismal Covenant, we promise to remain in community with one another, even when it’s hard. We promise to resist evil, confront prejudice, and fight for the dignity of every human being—and when we fall short, to seek forgiveness and begin again. We promise to share the story of God’s transforming love in Jesus Christ and to invite others into that grace. We promise to love and serve all people, without exception.

Hearing the Physicians’ Oath and recalling the Baptismal Covenant, I realized they share the same heartbeat: a life lived in service to others, grounded in respect, justice, compassion, and a deep sense of the sacred.

Then came the final lines of the Oath:

I take this oath freely and upon my honor. By this oath, I consider the bond between the physician and patient to be sacred. If I keep this oath faithfully, may I enjoy my life and practice my art; but if I swerve from it or violate it, may the reverse be my lot.

Whoa—these were no longer words of promise but of prophecy! I had heard similar warnings in the book of Proverbs or in the writings of the Old Testament prophets—summons that remind us faithfulness brings life, but turning away carries consequences. We will hear a warning like this in Sunday’s reading (Isaiah 5:1–7) as the prophet Isaiah foretells the result of Israel’s unfaithfulness.

While the change from promise to prophecy surprised me, I understood its purpose. The Oath is meant to be lived out daily, until it becomes an inalienable part of one’s very being. At the heart of the Baptismal Covenant is that same call to steadfast living—shaping not only our own lives, but also the beloved community we are building together.

In keeping our promises—whether in a white coat, at the baptismal font, or in the quiet moments of everyday life—we may find ourselves one step closer to the “beloved community” God envisions. And that is something worth celebrating.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday as we witness the baptism of Nell Dottie Volk and renew our baptismal vows.

~Nancy Purcell, Director of Marketing and Communications