The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, challenge us to live the righteousness example of Jesus in unity with the Trinity through Baptism.
The reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah describes the Servant as a Light to the Nations.
* [42:1–4] Servant: three other passages have been popularly called “servant of the Lord” poems: 49:1–7; 50:4–11; 52:13–53:12. Whether the servant is an individual or a collectivity is not clear (e.g., contrast 49:3 with 49:5). More important is the description of the mission of the servant. In the early Church and throughout Christian tradition, these poems have been applied to Christ; cf. Mt 12:18–21. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 42, n.d.)
The reading from the Book of Acts proclaims that Gentiles hear the Good News.
* [10:34–43] Peter’s speech to the household of Cornelius typifies early Christian preaching to Gentiles.
* [10:34–35] The revelation of God’s choice of Israel to be the people of God did not mean he withheld the divine favor from other people.
* [10:36–43] These words are more directed to Luke’s Christian readers than to the household of Cornelius, as indicated by the opening words, “You know.” They trace the continuity between the preaching and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth and the proclamation of Jesus by the early community. The emphasis on this divinely ordained continuity (Acts 10:41) is meant to assure Luke’s readers of the fidelity of Christian tradition to the words and deeds of Jesus. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 10, n.d.)
Psalm 29 praises the Voice of God in a Great Storm.
* [Psalm 29] The hymn invites the members of the heavenly court to acknowledge God’s supremacy by ascribing glory and might to God alone (Ps 29:1–2a, 9b). Divine glory and might are dramatically visible in the storm (Ps 29:3–9a). The storm apparently comes from the Mediterranean onto the coast of Syria-Palestine and then moves inland. In Ps 29:10 the divine beings acclaim God’s eternal kingship. The Psalm concludes with a prayer that God will impart the power just displayed to the Israelite king and through the king to Israel. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 42, n.d.)
The Gospel of Matthew describes the Baptism of Jesus.
[3:13–17] The baptism of Jesus is the occasion on which he is equipped for his ministry by the holy Spirit and proclaimed to be the Son of God.
* [3:14–15] This dialogue, peculiar to Matthew, reveals John’s awareness of Jesus’ superiority to him as the mightier one who is coming and who will baptize with the holy Spirit (Mt 3:11). His reluctance to admit Jesus among the sinners whom he is baptizing with water is overcome by Jesus’ response. To fulfill all righteousness: in this gospel to fulfill usually refers to fulfillment of prophecy, and righteousness to moral conduct in conformity with God’s will. Here, however, as in Mt 5:6; 6:33, righteousness seems to mean the saving activity of God. To fulfill all righteousness is to submit to the plan of God for the salvation of the human race. This involves Jesus’ identification with sinners; hence the propriety of his accepting John’s baptism.
* [3:16] The Spirit…coming upon him: cf. Is 42:1.
* [3:17] This is my beloved Son: the Marcan address to Jesus (Mk 1:11) is changed into a proclamation. The Father’s voice speaks in terms that reflect Is 42:1; Ps 2:7; Gn 22:2. (Matthew, CHAPTER 3, n.d.)
George Butterfield notes that Isaiah says that this warm, cuddly, and sweet baby will grow up to bring forth justice to the nations.
Not a justice from way off somewhere for he will be a covenant of the people. Covenants require personal involvement. The Word became flesh. He didn’t send justice; he brought it. What kind of justice will he bring? Enlightenment for the nations, sight for the blind, freedom for those in confinement, and light for those who dwell in darkness. When I think of someone bringing justice, I tend to think of someone wielding power and authority, crushing the wicked, and setting things right. Isaiah says that God’s servant will not come that way. He won’t be crying out and shouting. His voice won’t be heard in the street. In fact, he is so gentle that he is like a person who won’t break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick. That would be too violent for him. His justice will come to those who wait for and embrace his teaching. The scriptures make it clear that Jesus will come again in glory. He is the Lamb of God and the Lion of Judah. We just celebrated the Lamb. One day we will celebrate the Lion. (Butterfield, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Jesus came to be baptized by John,” by Chromatius (died 406 AD).
"John's baptism was looking toward repentance. Its purpose was to bring hearers to the point of experiencing conviction for their offenses. John, however, did not want anyone to draw the conclusion that Jesus himself also came to the Jordan to repent of his sins. So he sets this point straight from the outset by calling him both Lamb and Redeemer of all the sin that is in the world. He who is able to take away the sins of the whole world was himself without sin.
"Jesus therefore descended to fulfill all the observances of the law, and in this context he was baptized by John in Galilee at the Jordan. But John, recognizing the Lord as his God through the Holy Spirit, declared that he was unworthy to bear his sandals. He excused himself from doing what he was directed to do, because he could not conceive that baptism was necessary for the One whom he knew had come to blot out the sins of the world. He rather pleaded that he himself ought to be baptized by Christ, saying, 'It is I who should be baptized by you, and do you come to me?' It is as if he were saying, 'I am a man. You are God. I am a sinner because I am a man. You are sinless because you are God. Why do you want to be baptized by me? I do not refuse the respect you pay me, but I am ignorant of the mystery. I baptize sinners in repentance. But you have no taint of sin. So why do you want to be baptized? Why do you want to be baptized as a sinner, who came to forgive sins?' This is what John in effect was saying to the Lord." (excerpt from TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 12:1)
[Note: Chromatius was an early Christian scholar and bishop of Aquileia, Italy. He was a close friend of John Chrysostom and Jerome. He died in 406 AD. Jerome described him as a "most learned and most holy man."] (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 3:13-17 comments that with the descent of the Holy Spirit at his baptism, a whole new era was being ushered in. Jesus would fight and defeat the temptations of the evil one in the desert and then launch his mission in the power of the Spirit. He would proclaim the kingdom of God, and signs and wonders would follow. From that moment on, nothing was ever the same.
On this feast of the Baptism of the Lord, remember how Jesus took on your sinfulness so that you could live. Remember how his baptism launched a mission that culminated in the gift of his Holy Spirit. And take some time to savor the divine life that is now yours through Christ. The kingdom of God is within you, and you will never be the same!
“Lord Jesus, the heavens are open. Pour out your Spirit on me today.” (Meditation on Matthew 3:13-17, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler discusses the gentleness and meekness of the Suffering Servant from Deutero Isaiah. Peter's initial preaching of the kerygma to Cornelius culminates in Baptism of the family by the Spirit. Friar Jude notes that the symbol of love, the dove from the Song of Songs, appears as Jesus is anointed by the Spirit at His Baptism.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Presbyterian author and theologian Eugene Peterson, who reflects upon God’s challenging questions to the prophet Jeremiah at a pivotal point in his ministry.
Every one of us needs to be stretched to live at our best, awakened out of dull moral habits, shaken out of petty and trivial busy-work. Jeremiah does that for me. And not only for me. Millions upon millions of Christians and Jews have been goaded and guided toward excellence as they have attended to God’s word spoken to and by Jeremiah.…
Life is difficult, Jeremiah. Are you going to quit at the first wave of opposition?.… Are you going to live cautiously or courageously? I called you to live at your best, to pursue righteousness, to sustain a drive toward excellence. It is easier, I know, to be neurotic. It is easier to be parasitic. It is easier to relax in the embracing arms of The Average. Easier, but not better. Easier, but not more significant. Easier, but not more fulfilling. I called you to a life of purpose far beyond what you think yourself capable of living and promised you adequate strength to fulfill your destiny. Now at the first sign of difficulty you are ready to quit. If you are fatigued by this run-of-the-mill crowd of apathetic mediocrities, what will you do when the real race starts, the race with the swift and determined horses of excellence? What is it you really want, Jeremiah, do you want to shuffle along with this crowd, or run with the horses?.… (Rohr, n.d.)
We are anointed priest, prophet, and leader in Baptism to run the race and bring fullness of life to the community in which we live.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 10. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 9, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/10?34
Butterfield, G. (n.d.). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved January 9, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/010923.html
Isaiah, CHAPTER 42. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 9, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/42?1
Matthew, CHAPTER 3. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 9, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/3?13=#48003013
Meditation on Matthew 3:13-17. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 9, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/01/09/580586/
Psalms, PSALM 29. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 9, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/29?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Guided toward Excellence. Daily Meditations Archive: 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/guided-toward-excellence-2023-01-09/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus Humbly Submitted to Baptism by John. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 9, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=jan9
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