From the Sunday Note, with additional thoughts:
The people were filled with expectation,
and all were asking in their hearts
whether John might be the Christ.
John answered them all, saying,
“I am baptizing you with water,
but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
After all the people had been baptized
and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying,
heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him
in bodily form like a dove.
And a voice came from heaven,
“You are my beloved Son;
with you I am well pleased.”
Sunday’s Gospel, Luke 3:15-16, 21-22
The time was ripe for the revealing of the Messiah. John worked no miracles, he simply called people to repentance, a repentance to be signified by a symbolic cleansing in water. This act was no sacrament that carried God’s power into a man or woman of itself. Rather, it revealed an open heart and a hunger for the presence of God. It revealed a desire for healing, an enacted prayer for forgiveness, a promise to remain open to God’s work within oneself.
John told people how their prayer, their openness would ultimately be responded to–one was coming who would place within them fire and the Holy Spirit.
Jesus arrives simply as “one of the people” who respond to John’s call for openness to God’s work within their own open, hungry hearts. Jesus performs the symbolic baptism indicating his openness and his hopefulness. What happens? A “theophany” –an appearance of God—with some unexpected features. Jesus is revealed as the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire! He is the one who “opens the heavens” and is revealed as God’s beloved Son. It is, at the same time, a first intimation of what Christians came to call the Trinity: The Voice of the Father—the dove representing the silent, hovering Holy Spirit—the “beloved Son” with whom the Father is well pleased. All this would take time to sort out, even for those closest to Jesus.
As we begin another liturgical year, there is a line in the 2nd reading, from Paul’s letter to his co-worker Titus that gives us something to think about going forward:
“The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age….” Titus 2:11-12
Our walk with Christ “trains us” how to live with ourselves, others, and God. Take time this Sunday to do an examination of conscience:
- What would “living temperately” mean for my own life this year? With regard to food? Drink? Use of time? Seeking pleasure? Etc. What do I need to work on changing to temper my appetites and desires?
- What would “living justly” mean with regard to others? My generosity with time or money? My recognition and response to real needs of others? My need to treat everyone with respect and honesty? Etc. What could I prioritize this year to live more justly?
- What would living “devoutly” mean for my relationship with God? Do I worship? Regularly? With the intention of growing in understanding and practices of faith? Can I grow in relating to God as generously as God relates to me? What is one way I might strengthen the little faith I have this year?
For further reflection:
Does it always seem as if you are starting over with God? Join the club. It is a large club, informally called “the human race,” since all of us were created with an everlasting relationship with our heavenly Father in mind. He may allow us to experience the negative results of many of our choices (or the choices of others) but his goal never changes–union, in joy, with every single one He has created. He never gives up so long as we draw breath. He knows it will take many, many starts and re-starts to get things right. Relax and let Him guide you. His Son knows the way–follow His footsteps.