Reflection for Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

Reflection for Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
 
Isaiah 40:1-5; 9-11:  This passage was written as a beacon of hope  during troubled times for Judah. The Babylonian empire had captured Jerusalem, conquered and occupied their land and destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem. Many of the people had been exiled to Babylon and Egypt and were enslaved.  Undoubtedly, the people were feeling depressed, discouraged and afraid. The prophet relates that the Lord is ordering him, out of tender and gentle   mercy, to comfort God’s people by sharing with them a message of encouragement. Jerusalem is assured that the debt or punishment due to the people because of their sins, has been carried out and accomplished. Like a parent who has just had to discipline His child, God has never stopped loving His people, like a gentle, loving Shepherd. The saddened people are given a message of hope and joy about the imminent coming of God to rescue His people and to re-enter into a loving, nurturing and protective relationship with them, once again.
 
Psalm 104: “O Bless the Lord, my soul.” The message of hope and encouragement of the first reading is followed by this psalm of praise, glorifying God for his power and greatness. The psalmist marvels and voices awe over God’s power and rule over nature and the elements; sky, earth, wind and fire.  In the third stanza, the author expresses further wonder over the vast diversity of creatures and living things which God has created. Next, the  psalmist proclaims how faithfully and generously God provides for and cares for His creations. This might be seen as another reassurance that our God will always care for His suffering people. Lastly, the psalmist contemplates God’s completer rule over both life and death; generating and sustaining the living and taking breath away from the dying. The tone of the psalmist is that of conceding to God’s absolute control over us all.
 
Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7:  Now, we read a proclamation of God’s love and benevolent grace in sending us Jesus as our teacher, Savior and  Redeemer. Jesus is teaching us to reject sin and self-centered worldly attachments in favor of temperance, charity and efforts to promote justice, peace and the common good of all. The Salvation offered by Jesus is proclaimed here for what it truly is; a merciful and undeserved gift of our Most Blessed Trinity and NOT a reward for any achievement of our own. Our baptisms, through water and the Holy Spirit are alluded to, here, as our baptisms  confer on us our blessed status as adopted children of God and heirs to the Salvation for us, won by Jesus’ own Sacrifice of His life.
 
Luke 3:15-16; 21-22:  In this brief, but powerful passage, we have both a needed clarification and a revelation. This passage clarifies that John the Baptist is not the long-awaited Messiah or “the Christ,” “the Anointed One.” The revelation, given at the baptism of Jesus, by John comes partly from John, who announces that “One” is coming after him, who is greater than him (John). The concluding message of this “revelation” comes from God, the Father, Himself: Jesus is His own beloved Son, in Whom, He (the Father) is well-pleased. Thus, Jesus’ status and authority as the Son of God is proclaimed, publicly, through a direct message from Heaven.  Ponder this week, that even after the Heavens were opened and the very voice of God was heard, there were still people who didn’t believe! Do we believe that Jesus is our Savior? Do we behave  accordingly? Ponder that! 
 
Reflectively,
Deacon Matt