Lectionary # 218. Scripture meditation for January 10,2009 Sat. after Epiphany
149:1-2.3-4.5-6.9 John 3:22-30. Lectionary # 218:
Today,we bring an end to the Epiphany readings and the
manifestations of Jesus through his healings. We turn to John's Gospel for
some great insights into the person and role of John the Baptist. We are
being prepared for tomorrow's solemn feast of the Baptism of Jesus which
liturgically brings the Christmas season to an end. John Chrysostom has
reminded us that the Fourth Gospel is the work of the great theologian of
Gospels, John the Evangelist.
Strikingly enough we discover that in today's reading Jesus himself
is said to be baptizing along with his own disciples. From our knowledge
of the call of the disciples in John, we surmise that some of John the
Baptist's disciples have been following Jesus. Aenon is said to be in
Judaea and the evangelist says there was much water in this location near
the Jordan. A dispute arises about who should be baptizing and it is the
Baptist who brings the solution to the problem or the controversy that was
raised by a Judaean. John however is so honest and aware of who he is and
what his role is in this ritual of purifying with water that we come to
learn of the magnificence of this holy prophet. He is featured in the
early chapters of the Fourth Gospel and is the only person besides Jesus
himself to be referred to in the lofty Prologue of John (John 1:6-8,15).
John is a witness to the Word become flesh. We know from the other
Gospels that he is also a herald, a precursor, and a prophet after the
example of Elijah. John compares himself to the bestman in a wedding. And
we know that this role is usually the best friend of the groom in today's
society. Just think of the weddings you have witnessed and participated in
and you will realize that the groom chooses this person from among his most
trusted of friends. There is no identity crisis involved in John's makeup.
He knows and accepts his role in announcing the coming of the reign of God
through the Anointed One who will be Jesus. It is John who will baptize
Jesus and it is Jesus who tells us there is no one greater among men than
the Baptist. John has convinced the religious leaders that he is not the
Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet (probably Isaiah is meant). His role
is to focus on the one who is to come. He considers himself not worthy even
to tie or untie his shoelaces! From the Fourth Gospel we learn about the
humility and the integrity of this holy prophet.
Our own testimony to the Lord Jesus should be modeled on John the
Baptist's. He is not jealous nor possessive of his own disciples. He
clearly prepares the way for the Messiah. We are informed of his role in
salvation through Luke in his Gospel at chapter 16:16. "The law and the
prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been
preached, and everyone is pressing into it." Like John the Baptist our
testimony can only be authentic when it proceeds from humility, dedication
to the Lord, and total honesty in the ramifications of our baptismal
commitment. May we live up to it. Amen.
The Solemnity of the Baptism of Jesus, January 11, 2009.
Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7. Psalm 29:1-2.3-4.3.9-10. Acts 10:34-38. Mark
1:7-11. Lectionary # 21:
Jesus' baptism is a sacred historical event that inaugurates and
anoints are own initiation into the Church and our life's journey with him.
He becomes for us our Lord and Savior at our baptism and we are prepared
for our future roles in life as Christians. We see that the Gospels center
the start of Jesus' own ministry just after his baptism. John the Baptist
is the great witness of this remarkable action on the part of Jesus and we
have seen how we are called to be witnesses once we mature in our faith
that commences with this sacrament. It is a noble calling, a challenge,
and a mission. We are to bring the Good News about Jesus to others and do
so in an honest and humble way. We all can learn great lessons from the one
who baptizes Jesus in the Jordan.
Our baptism is done in the name of the Trinity--"I baptize you....in
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Water and
these words are the sacrament when conferred on a person. This reminds us
of our mission that is given to us at the very end of Matthew's Gospel:
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to
observe all the things I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you always
even to the end of the age. Amen." (Matthew 28:19-20).
John the Baptist is the greatest witness to him. The one dedicated to
him from the start. He never recoiled from that witness. Only the mother
of Jesus would have been more dedicated to Jesus than he. She loved him
more than anyone ever could and does so as she enjoys being with him in
heaven. We ourselves were led through the Advent and Christmas season by
these two great saints. As we continue this new year, we are privileged to
experience a renewal of our own baptism through that of Jesus. It is the
narrative of St. Mark that occurs during this liturgical cycle (B Cycle).
This is the very first written account of the baptism of Jesus. It is also
the first time that the Good News has been put down in script for future
Christians. Mark initiated this with his very first line: "The beginning
of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." (Mark 1:1).
Each Sunday Eucharist offers us several times during the liturgy to
think about our baptism and its call to full maturity into Christ. First,
through the sign of the cross that begins each Mass. Secondly, through a
rite of renewal with blessed holy water, then in the Creed when we realize
the content of our faith and how it needs to be developed and expressed.
We are to listen carefully to the whispers of the Holy Spirit and hear
these words, "You are my beloved Son or Daughter, in whom I am well
pleased." Amen.
posted by Fr. Bert SM at 1:08 PM
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