Homily from Sunday January 09th, 2022: Baptism of the Lord
The Baptism of the Lord marks the end of the liturgical season of Christmas. What is this moment of Jesus being baptized by John in the Jordan River all about?
One of the features that we are all familiar with is “standing in line”. We stand in line at the Grocery Store, Service Ontario &/or Service Canada, for voting, and recently for vaccinations. Standing in line is one of the places we are all equal. Jesus stood in line at His baptism.
The baptism of Jesus is part of His epiphany, when he comes out of obscurity into the spotlight. Before his baptism, Jesus was largely unknown – until John announced him as the Messiah. It is here that Jesus showed his solidarity with all of us who are in need of healing. Jesus’ baptism was the beginning of his public ministry when he identified himself with all people; and we tend to forget that our own baptism makes us a part of the mission and work of Jesus Christ.
People change careers and careers come to an end. Relationships come and go. People move from one place to another – We all go through many changes in our life – but what endures is the mission we received at our Baptism – to be the representatives of Christ in our world. Whatever else comes and goes in our life, the commission to carry on the ministry of Christ lasts as long as we do.
Obviously, Jesus did some things that we can never do – the miraculous deeds of Jesus are beyond our reach (But he also went about doing good) that is more in our league. The scriptures tell us that Jesus did good as he went about – much of his ministry was coincidental. – He didn’t actually go looking for it – but when it crossed his path he was very aware of the people.
The Bible has been compared to a cookbook. A cookbook is a collection of recipes.
And what good are these if someone doesn’t cook, or doesn’t even try out the recipes.
We can keep the Bible wherever we want, and read the Scriptures by ourselves, or discuss them in groups and even come to church where we hear God’s word proclaimed.
But does it really change us? Does it impel us to change our values, or to be more compassionate people, and to call us to find ways to serve?
In our Eucharist today, let us pray that we will be true to our baptism, and more open to God’s action.
On this Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, let us renew our baptismal promises.
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