The Baptism of Jesus

The Liturgical Cycle of the Roman Catholic Church marks the end of the Christmas Season with the feast of the Baptism of Jesus. A reflection on the aspect of baptism which involves embracing a movement of “listening-to” is suggested by the readings from the Roman Catholic Lectionary. Matthew recounts the episode of Jesus being baptized in the Jordan River by John. A reflection by Larry Gillick, SJ points to this liturgy as Jesus listening to the Jewish traditions and entering into the Tradition as He listens to the voice of the Father through the action of the Spirit. The “Light to the Nations” as described in one of the Servant texts from the book of Isaiah is presented publically to the Jews by the Evangelist to the Jews. The onetime zealous Pharisee, Paul, proclaims that the Gentiles, those outside the Jewish tradition, are called to listen to the invitation in the Life of Jesus to become a listener and hear of the “mission” which is offered to the listeners to be the love and peace which is within the intimate relationship of Divine and creature in which God delights. The psalmist presents the transcendent nature of God as the assurance that the power is available even to change the hearts and minds of humanity.