The Baptism of the Lord
My dear parishioners,
God is Good!!! All the time!!! And all the time!!! God is Good!!!
Midway through his book, the oracles of Isaiah turn to the theme of service. This is a dramatic change from the first half of the book in which the prophet made every attempt to awaken king and people to the disadvantages of seeking security in earthly resources rather than in God. Human pride got in the way, preventing Isaiah’s audience from hearing his message. As a result, the kingdom collapsed and many were exiled to Babylon.
The Servant is God’s chosen people Israel (Is 41:8). Enlightened by the experience of exile, they are now ready to serve the Lord. Gifted with the Spirit of God, they will show the way for the rest of the nations. They will proclaim their message by example rather than by raised voices in the streets. Their lesson will restore what is bruised and fan into flame what is only smoldering. They will not stop until the earth is filled with the kind of justice that comes only with a right relationship with God.
God holds the right hand of Servant Israel. As long as the people remain so close to God, they are assured of success in their mission. God’s plan is that they will become a beacon of light for the rest of the nations, illuminating the path they are to follow. Those blinded by misguided interests will be able to see their way clearly. Those held prisoner by earthly concerns will be set free. Those who once stumbled about in the darkness of sin and ignorance will walk free. Earlier verses described the nations still preoccupied with the making of idols, imagining that the illusions of the world would bring them the security that they sought so desperately.
All of the Gospels strongly counter such an idea by clearly presenting Jesus as far superior to John the Baptist and having John himself proclaim this. John the Baptist baptizes with water, but Jesus who is mightier than John will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. Jesus’ baptism has a strong sense of purification, indicated by the presence of the Holy Spirit and fire. Lk will again show this purification aspect in the Pentecost experience in Acts 2. Everything about Jesus surpasses John the Baptist.
Almost all commentators and exegetes agree that Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. Seemingly, Jesus wanted to show his allegiance to the message of John the Baptist and the need to prepare for God’s coming. Lk does not get involved in that question, nor does he describe the actual baptism of Jesus himself. Lk focuses on what happened immediately after the baptism. First of all, Jesus was praying. Prayer sets the context for what Jesus sees and what he hears. Secondly, Jesus sees and hears some remarkable things. What he sees are the heavens open and the Holy Spirit descending upon him in bodily form like a dove. What he hears is the heavenly voice affirm, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.
Excerpts from “Sunday Homily Helps”, is used by permission of Franciscan Media. www.FranciscanMedia.org. All rights reserved
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Aloysius