January 11, 2015

Baptism of the Lord

Isaiah 55: 1-11; 1 John 5: 1-9; Mark 1: 7-11

Baptisms are big today. I have visited the traditional Baptismal Site of Jesus at Kasr el Yehud, at the Jordan River not that far away from Jericho. Each time there have been baptisms being celebrated. The last time there were adults wearing white robes who were from one of the Eastern Churches going into the water with prayers and ceremonies celebrating their baptismal ritual. So many of the baptismal ceremonies I have participated in were family and extended family affairs. It is so personally rewarding to see two, three and even four generations gathered to share their faith and love.

So the burning questions remain: what does my baptism mean? What am I doing with my baptism? Is my baptism a guarantee of anything or is it a beginning of a commitment? Is my baptism just something that happened over 73 years ago or is it more? The response is: The baptism of Jesus by John in the Jordan River had great significance for Jesus Himself, for the readers of Mark’s Gospel and it has enormous significance for me today and for all Christians.

For Jesus:

From the very beginnings of the beginnings of Christianity, people and scholars had a tension: Jesus was truly human and Jesus was truly divine. The difficulties arose when focus was put on His divinity which seemed to water down His humanity. Did He really need sustenance: food, water and even sleep; God wouldn’t need these. Doesn’t this take away from His divinity? No it doesn’t…He was like us in all things, but sin. Another, did Jesus really need to be baptized since He was God? The text says that the heavens were torn open and the Spirit descended like a dove and His Father’s voice said, “You are My beloved Son; with You I am well pleased.” This certainly had a profound effect and perhaps was a giant leap forward in His perception of His Fathers’ will and the purpose of His life because afterward He went into the desert for more discernment.

For Mark’s readers:

Scholars show us that Mark was constantly answering the question: ‘Who is this man Jesus?’ And at the end of his gospel at Jesus’ death, Chapter 15: 39, Mark answers this question, “When the centurion who stood facing him saw how he breathed his last he said, ‘Truly this man was the Son of God!’”

Significance for me today and all Christians:

Living the Word, Scriptural Reflections and Commentaries for Sundays and Holy Days says: “We often think about baptism in terms of the washing away of sin. Sometimes we speak of it as dying and rising with Christ. These ways of thinking and speaking about what happens in baptism are true and important. But reflection on the event of Jesus’ baptism opens up new perspectives on our own baptism. In baptism we, like Jesus, are anointed with God’s Spirit and declared to be God’s beloved sons and daughters, with whom God is well pleased. In baptism too we see the heavens torn open and the ways of God made manifest to us. In baptism we too conquer the world through faith.

Also in baptism we, like Jesus, are given a commission. The Spirit anoints us as priests, prophets, and kings; in these roles we are called to lives of prayer, proclamation, and service. We are called, as the prophet Isaiah exhorts us to ‘seek the Lord while He may be found’ and to call on Him while He is near.’ In other words, in our baptism we are given a share in the saving work of Jesus.

Of course, this can seem quite daunting. It is daunting to think that every child or adult who is baptized is given the task of sharing in Jesus’ priestly, prophetic, and royal ministries. Lest we become overwhelmed, we must also remember that at Jesus’ baptism the heavens are torn open and the Spirit is poured out. We do nothing on our own. We do all though God’s Spirit.”

I don’t really realize these connections unless I realize that I have first been loved by God, that’s why He created me. He gifted me too so that I can carry out in my own unique way of being Jesus and showing Jesus in my life. I am Jesus’ hands, feet, mouth, eyes, ears; I am Jesus’ compassion, caring, love to the world I pass through today and each day. The bigger question is what do I need from the Spirit to be Jesus today?

The readings help me. Isaiah gives his readers a message of encouragement. The people are still in exile in Babylon. They have problems with living since they are treated as slaves. Isaiah says, ‘God knows this; seek Him out. Tell Him what you need from Him today. He is not far away, He is close. So often I feel that I’m not that important, and that God is too busy with all the ‘bad’ things happening in the world. Will He hear my ‘little voice’? Yes, He gives me encouragement because He created me in love and continues to love and help. To think differently is to deny the Gospel images of God.

In the second reading from John’s first letter, people in their community have been saying that Jesus is not the Christ, and the Son of God and denying too that He came in the flesh. John is telling them, ‘Look at your faith, look at what you believe and know that you are loved. Real believers believe Jesus is the Christ begotten of God and love God by keeping His commandments.

Mark shares the words of the Father, “You are my beloved Son; with You I am well pleased.” These are so similar to the Fathers’ words on Transfiguration Mountain: “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him.” Mk 9:7. And Jesus is telling me daily I am beloved to Him, that’s why He created me. Now what I have to do is to Listen…Love…Act. This is a command. Am I surrendering my own will of what I want to God’s will of what He needs me to be? Do I realize that Jesus promises the Spirit to me every inch of the way?

So I reflect on:

• What do I feel is my personal mission as a believing Christian? More to the point, why am I here?
• Has the power of the Holy Spirit made a difference in my faith life?
• How can I become more open to the action of the Holy Spirit?
• How do I cooperate with God’s word? What will God’s word do with or without me?
• My baptism is about my change in the focus of my living; it is about my dying and rising to Christ each and every day. How am I doing? What do I need?

Sacred Space 2015 says:

“Jesus’ baptism gives us a window into a powerful religious moment. Jesus knows His identity. The imprint of the Spirit has sealed His life.

Lord, remind me that I, too, bear Your seal of approval. I am marked by Your Spirit, called to participate in Your mission as Your beloved son or daughter.”