Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, January 8, 2007
Once after a liturgical service, the bishop joined the food line. Certainly no one told him to wait in line. No doubt many people would have been glad to serve him. In fact, some workers at the host parish were probably embarrassed that the bishop was standing in line. But he wanted to be there. He did not want to put himself ahead of the people. For this one time, he was to be seen as one of them.
Jesus probably submits to John’s baptism for this same reason. Like the bishop he too wants to be seen as one of the people. This is not a show, however. Although he has no sin, he still experiences a kind of repentance. Repentance translates the Greek word metanoia which means a change of mind. Jesus has changed his mind in a sense. He has put away his carpenter’s hammer. From here on, he will take up the mission that God, his heavenly Father, has given him. He is setting out to save the world.
The dove that descends over Jesus indicates a new creation. In Genesis the original creation begins with the Holy Spirit fluttering the like a bird over the great abyss. Now God will reform heaven and earth through Jesus. It is a breath-taking moment. The heavens have been closed for years. God has been long silent. Now he speaks: “You are my beloved son.” We can only expect something truly awesome from Jesus.
