Baptism of the Lord A  January 9, 2011

Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7   Psalm: 29  Acts 10:34-38 Matthew 3:13-17

Today we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus and bring to a close the Advent-Christmas season. We enter into Ordinary time. However the Baptism of Jesus is not merely a historical milestone. It is not just an event to begin the Public Ministry of Jesus. The emphasis of this celebration is its theological significance.  The emphasis of this feast is on what it means to our spiritual growth and spiritual life. The Baptism of Jesus highlights our salvation, our redemption through the work of the Holy Spirit.

It also makes us think of our own baptism. For John the Baptist and the early Christians,  Baptism was not just a social ritual – but rather a turning point in life where the Baptised person accepted the responsibilities of such a commitment. It made a person, - a Child of God. The type of person, which is painted by Isaiah in the first reading.

This is a welcoming picture in our world where

• road rage is a common experience
• bullies are seen all around
• the Don Cherry type of senseless aggression is advocated

Here we have a portrait of a non-violent person. This should not be mistaken for weakness or passivity or apathy. Today, we often experience sarcasm, angry or hurtful or even bitter words. We use this when we rely on our own powers or on our fragile authority. The Servant portrayed in Isaiah has his strength and power from the Spirit of the Lord, which is poured out on him.

To whom does Isaiah refer when he speaks of the Servant of the Lord?

• is it the whole nation of Israel
• is it the remnant, who remained faithful
• is it a Messiah who was still to come?

It does not really matter because the early Christians identified the Servant as Jesus Christ who came to bring salvation for the people of the World. It was a salvation for all.  In the Acts, we find Peter having difficulty with this universal salvation. It takes three visions before Peter is convinced that no one is left out of the salvation plan. We too have difficulties in this regard. 

 Recently, I told a parable. Suppose you go to heaven and the first persons to greet you were Judas, Hitler and some cruel dictator. Some people, including a priest were very offended that I put Hitler in heaven. I did not!  I have neither the knowledge nor the authority to put him either in heaven or hell. But the fact that they were upset shows three things:

• that God is limited in his mercy
• that certain people are beyond redemption.
• That we pigeon-hole God according to our idea of what is right and just.

We have only to remember the story of the Prodigal Son and the parable of the Labourers in the vineyard – especially the ones that came at the 11^th hour and were still rewarded like the others who laboured the whole day in the hot sun.

Here we have a Servant who is generous in service, gentle in his demeanour. He

-will not crush the bruised reed

-who will not put out the smouldering wick.

Everyone will be given a chance to the very end.

The generosity of this type of Saviour is affirmed in the Gospel. Actually the picture of Isaiah and the picture of Jesus in the Baptism is the same,

Isaiah     Matthew

The servant    My Son

The One in whom God delights The Beloved, in whom God is pleased

God puts his Spirit on him  the One on whom the Spirit descends as a dove.

Both these words and phrases are the same, but they are lost in translation.

Coming to the Baptism, Matthew had a theological problem with this episode. Only sinners went for baptism and were washed clean of their sins. So why does Jesus stand in line with sinners? Matthew circumvents the problem by making this a friendly encounter between the Baptist and Jesus. Jesus will be baptised but only so that righteousness should be fulfilled. Isaiah would prophesy this righteousness in Ch42:vs6.

As we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus, we bring to a close the Christmas Season. It is in Ordinary time that we are truly called to live out the Responsibilities and rights that go with baptism. It is easy

to be good,

to do penance,

to repent of our sins at the high seasons in the church: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost. However it is in the Ordinary time that we live and grow and have our being in God – in Jesus and through the power of the Holy Spirit.