The Baptism of the Lord A - Sunday, January 12, 2020

 Homily The Baptism of the Lord A - Sunday, January 12, 2020

 

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7.

Psalm: 29:1-2, 3-4, 9-10 The Lord will bless his people with peace.

Second Reading: Acts 10:34-38

Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia! The heavens were opened and the Father's voice was heard: this is my beloved Son, hear him. Alleluia!

Gospel: Matthew 3:13-17    

 

 

Image: Shutterstock Licensed stock photo ID: 1562076073. OHRID, MACEDONIA - MAY 04, 2019: Baptism of the Lord, fresco in the Church of Saint Paraskeva of the Balkans near Saint Naum Monastery, Ohrid in Macedonia.

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Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the The Baptism of the Lord A - Sunday, January 12, 2020, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ep-199-the-baptism-of-the-lord-year-a-2020/s-oomWy  (EPISODE: 199)

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The Christmas season ends this weekend and ordinary time begins, with the celebration of the start of Christ's public ministry. Which is very fitting indeed. John the Baptist giving Jesus Baptism had quite a different effect on his baptising others.  For us, baptism by John would be an admission of our sinfulness and desire for God's mercy. For Jesus, it was the revelation that he was the Son of God, the Messiah. The one to save us from our sins.  Today we recall our baptism and we know that we have been cleansed and united to God, by the waters made Holy and imbued with the power of the Holy Spirit, by Jesus.   What a wonderful mission we are called to.  

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John the Baptist, (who came ahead of Jesus the Messiah, to prepare the way for him), was very confused when Our Lord appeared along with a huge number of penitents and asked John to Baptise HIM!!  John's was a baptism of repentance for sin... and John knew perfectly well, as did our Lord himself, that Jesus had nothing to repent of nor did he have any sins... Also, John had said that the humble baptism he was preaching, was nothing compared to the Baptism with the Spirit that Jesus would give to the world... and yet here the Lord is, asking John to Baptise HIM??!!

 

Jesus reassures John with the mysterious explanation: "Let it be so for now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfil all righteousness." In other words, "we both must do this, as it is the wish of the Heavenly Father, as a part in the plan to save his beloved people." 

The full meaning of righteousness is not able to be accurately translated into English here because one word in English doesn't capture it... and using that word confuses it with more modern uses which bring in ideas of self-righteousness and legalism. In the full original sense, righteousness is not a mere outward quality or an outward series of action, but it is a measure of the qualities of God, who is utterly good and just, perfectly consistent and authentic... So to "fulfil all righteousness" is to act in a way that goes to the inner core and truth of God's heart. It is cooperating with God whose plan is to save his people, to take their side, to be their defender and protector, their patron, and to make the inner life of the heart match the outer expression of one's actions. True righteousness is a quality that only God has fully, as it is God's nature, reflecting authenticity, goodness and justice. (1)

I know I still haven't captured the true meaning of the term "righteousness," but at least this puts a sense of the huge depths the meaning. 

 

Jesus was showing the wonderful quality that he always had... utter obedience to the will of his beloved, Heavenly Father. It didn't matter if things made sense to anyone at this point; this was what the Father wanted and asked for, and Our Lord was going to make sure he fulfilled this desire. John, although obviously confused, was convinced by this and cooperated.

 

Also, by being Baptised as he was, Jesus was revealing what kind of Plan he and his heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit had in mind for his children... and it is consistent with other parts of the scriptures... the answer is revealed also in Pope Francis recent homily on the last day of last year... where he said...

 

"God changed the world through a man born poor, in an undistinguished town of a simple woman of faith.

 

"We must not be afraid or feel inadequate for such an important mission. Let us remember: God doesn't choose us for our "bravura," (our magnificence, our brilliance, our astounding technical skills, or any sort of excellence), but, in fact, God chooses us because we are small and we feel small."

 

"God's decision is clear: to reveal His love, He chose a small, poor, scorned city, and later in his life, when He reached Jerusalem, he joined the population of sinners and the rejected. None of the inhabitants of the city realized that the Son of God made Man was walking through its streets, probably not even initially His disciples."

 

(The Pope stressed that God dwells not only in the temple but among the people). …, "He dwells in the midst of His People; He walks with them and lives their life. His fidelity is strong and palpable... touchable...that is, concrete; it is such a "nearness" to the daily existence and struggles of His beloved children. ...

 

When God wants to make all things new through His Son, He doesn't begin from the Temple, but from the human birth made possible by the cooperation, and obedience of a humble and poor woman of His own People. This choice of God is extraordinary!"(2)

 

So, it was always God's plan that through the love and nearness of Jesus, his beloved son, he would save the people from their sins by immersing himself in their world and into their plight. (Like a modern-day-lifesaver, he dived into the water to save the drowning person), He identified himself and associated with sinners and outcasts and people bowed down by the chains of this world's injustice and tragedy and he even allowed himself to be mistakenly accused of being a sinner himself... he even died a sinner's death, and a criminal's death, so as to take on the sins of all who were guilty.

 

In that sense, we can see why he submitted to baptism. Not to atone or admit for any personal sin, but to be with his people who were drowning in their own sin and alienation. He got into the "muddiness and messiness – the dangerous currents" of life, even though he was blameless himself... in order to save others... He was also approving of and associating himself with the people's sincere movement of repentance and conversion, that John's preaching and preparation, plus the people's heartfelt response was leading to. For this gathering of people and their unprecedented admission that even though they were the chosen people of God, they had strayed and were in need of purification, was a powerful sign of the Kingdom arriving, which Jesus was now ushering in.

 

"Never before had there been such a unique national movement of penitence and of a collective search for God. This was the very moment for which Jesus had been waiting. People were very conscious of their sin and deeply aware of their need for God as never before. This was his opportunity, and in his baptism, he identified himself with the people whom he lovingly came as God made flesh, in order to save them, in this hour of their new consciousness of their sin, and of their search for God. So what better time and place for him to begin his public ministry! (3)

 

And in this complete obedience and humility, The Father searched his heart (which he already knew perfectly well) and found no fault, no sin... and declared to all who would accept it... this is indeed not just a son of mine, (as in one who does God's will) but this is THE son of mine.. my only son... I am pleased with him... listen to him... (and in these words he recalled the ancient predictions that an obedient servant and son would suffer for the sins of others... Jesus is now clearly seen as the messiah and also one whose mission is 'suffering love' to save all who are trapped by sin and injustice.

 

This Gospel also reveals the superb reality that God, the Trinity is utterly involved in this mission... as The Father confirms, the Son obeys and the Spirit empowers. All three persons of the Trinity are featured in this astounding moment. this is the beginning of the Kingdom of Heaven...

 

Christ being baptized is showing us that he takes very seriously his desire to share in our human nature, to be in united with his people…..especially all who are bowed down and trapped in their own sinfulness or hopelessness... God takes on ALL of our humanity and shows us the way to live our lives.

 

Baptism, means literally a "plunging into water" - so too we are plunged into Christ's life and his way of living… immersing ourselves completely in his self-emptying way of loving…. a love that gives everything… even unto death, (on a cross).

 

Jesus invites us, by going into these water, to follow him into the "living streams of his good news as experienced in our daily lives and actions"…. The regular practice of loving as Christ loves, which is at times extremely challenging, to say the least. Jesus the suffering servant, subjects himself to his human condition out of love, service and sacrifice.(4)

 

Christ's Baptism signals the Commencement of his PUBLIC ministry. He has come from quiet and humble obscurity – from 30 or so years of everyday living, and now is dramatically appearing on the public scene… revealed at last as the Messiah, the chosen one…… the suffering servant of the Father…. and the son of God……with whom the Father is well pleased.

 

Jesus' baptism is an invitation for us to reflect upon the public and communal dimensions of our baptismal call…………

 

Jesus shows us that discipleship is not merely a personal thing… not just a private activity…… Being part of Christ's good news is a participation in a very public ministry of Christ himself…….. (not just about me and my sins, or my life, or my own righteousness or lack thereof).

 

And so, it is a good time to ask ourselves "in what ways do I step forward publicly as Jesus did, as a way of announcing and living practically the new reality represented in Christ; 2. what can I do to live-out my baptismal commitment more openly, more publicly, more consistently. Christianity is a distinctly communal religion never solely a private devotion…….There is no such thing as a solo Christian, even when we might be working away on our own.(5).

 

How do we put this into action? …… ……. …..everyone who conducts their daily lives, their family life, their jobs and any other daily activities in the intentional spirit of Jesus' good news (humility, gentleness, justice, mercy, practical care, attentiveness to God's word, attention to my brothers and sisters around me and their needs, and compassionate love in everything)– everyone who daily decides to live this way is living their Baptismal calling in a very practical way…..

 

May the Lord who calls us to follow him into the waters of Baptism, raise us to newness of life, so that, united with Jesus, we may serve him in everything we do and say….. Giving public witness to all, by our love and service …

 

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References:

Fr Paul W. Kelly

 

1. "The New Jerome Biblical Commentary." Brown; Fitzmyer; Murphy (eds.). Published by Geoffrey Chapman (1991).

 

        

        Barclay, W. (1975). The Gospel of Matthew. Part I. 2nd         ed. Edinburgh: St. Andrew Press.

 

 

        https://www.biblestudymagazine.com/bible-study-                magazine-blog/tag/sedeq

 

2. From Pope Francis called forth in his homily on December 31, 2019, paraphrased in parts for clarity.  https://zenit.org/articles/celebration-of-first-vespers-of-solemnity-of-mary-most-holy-mother-of-god-and-te-deum-of-thanksgiving-for-past-year/

 

3. Barclay, W. (1975). The Gospel of Matthew. Part I. 2nd ed. Edinburgh: St. Andrew Press.

 

4. Abbot's Homilies - Benedictine Abbey of Christ in the Desert. [online] Benedictine.

 

5. Notes are taken from Prayer Time, Cycle A. Robert J. Heyer, ed. 2007

 

 

DeBona, G. (2013). Between the Ambo and the altar. Year A. 1st ed. Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press.

 

Image credit:  Shutterstock Licensed stock photo ID: 1562076073. OHRID, MACEDONIA - MAY 04, 2019: Baptism of the Lord, fresco in the Church of Saint Paraskeva of the Balkans near Saint Naum Monastery, Ohrid in Macedonia.

 

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May God bless and keep you.

The Baptism of the Lord A

(Sunday, January 12, 2020)

(EPISODE: 199 )

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

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{{May Our Lord's justice sustain you}}

 

As one family in Christ, let us prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries by calling to mind our sins.?

Lord Jesus, you are the image of the unseen God: Lord, have mercy.//You are the firstborn of all creation: Christ, have mercy//You are the head of the body, the Church: Lord, have mercy//

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

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Memorial Acclamation

3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.

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Eucharistic Prayer III

We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.

Communion side. pwk: RH

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{May God's grace strengthen your love and hope and faith, and may God's love surprise you even in the trials and challenges of the week. }

 

Go in peace.(glorifying the Lord by your life)

 

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Extra notes on the reflection"

 Notes:

https://www.biblestudymagazine.com/bible-study-magazine-blog/tag/sedeq 

"righteousness" is not merely a moral course of action, - rather its God's saving action even in the face of our sin... In some cases where "truth" is used in reference to humans in the psalms, it is better understood and translated as "authenticity." When the hymn, Ps 145,

/

In the Psalms 'emet, (תמא) is frequently paired with khesed, which is translated as "steadfast love" (NRSV, ESV), "lovingkindness" (NASB), and "love" (NIV). All fifteen of these pairings describe attributes of God. This pairing of terms, along with the psalmic prayers and praises that use it, associates 'emet, (תמא) with relational loyalty. Hence, the NRSV and ESV translators use "faithfulness" in these contexts. The echoes in Ps 86:15 point to the famous confession in Exod 34:6: "The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness ('emet)."

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"The New Jerome Biblical Commentary." Brown; Fitzmyer; Murphy (eds.). Published by Geoffrey Chapman (1991).

* note, interpretation by me... righteousness is not a mere outward quality.. but its a measure of the quality of God as good and just... more akin to 'salvation' - going more to the heart of what is authentic, true, real... // inner heart speaks truth...

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Barclay Mt :

Now for the first time in their national history the Jews realized their own sin and their own urgent need of God. Never before had there been such a unique national movement of penitence and of search for God.

This was the very moment for which Jesus had been waiting. Men were conscious of their sin and conscious of their need of God as never before. This was his opportunity, and in his baptism he identified himself with the men he came to save, in the hour of their new consciousness of their sin, and of their search for God.

The voice which Jesus heard at the baptism is of supreme importance." This is my beloved Son," it said, "with whom I am well pleased." That sentence is composed of two quotations. "This is my beloved Son," is a quotation from Ps.2:7. Every Jew accepted that Psalm as a description of the Messiah, the mighty King of God who was to come. "With whom I am well pleased" is a quotation from Isa.42:1, which is a description of the Suffering Servant, a description which culminates in Isa.53.

So in the baptism there came to Jesus two certainties--the certainty that he was indeed the chosen One of God, and the certainty that the way in front of him was the way of the Cross. in that moment he knew that he was chosen to be King, but he also knew that his throne must be a Cross. In that moment he knew that he was destined to be a conqueror, but that his conquest must have as its only weapon the power of suffering love. In that moment there was set before Jesus both his task and the only way to the fulfilling of it.(Barclay – Matthew)