Feast of the
Baptism of the Lord
(Isaiah 42:1-4.6-7; Matthew 3:13-17)
In Martin Scorsese new film Silence Japanese Christians are pictured being crucified. They willingly allow themselves to suffer and
die in imitation of Christ. They become
the heroes of the story which features three European Jesuits who deny Christ in
the face of suffering. The meaning of
the Lord’s baptism is precisely the same gaining of favor for his readiness to
suffer.
Jesus tells John that he must submit to John’s baptism “to
fulfill all righteousness.” It would be
a hollow expression if it did not mean making the ultimate sacrifice. Jesus’ baptism should be taken as a prefiguring
of his death on the cross and his resurrection.
Water, of course, has this dual quality of taking and giving life. Because of his willingness to accept death
for others, the Father says of him, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am
well pleased."
The Christmas season ends today with Jesus’ baptism. Its purpose has been to present Jesus as the
savior of humanity. He was worshipped
first by the Jewish shepherds. The Magi then
came from a faraway place to recognize his majesty. We too join this train of adoration. Anticipating the narrative of his ministry,
especially the fateful events of the Passover in Jerusalem, we raise a final tribute
to him for coming.
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