The Baptism of the Lord
(Isaiah 42:1-4.6-7; Mark 1:7-11)
In the Gospel of Mark only Jesus hears the voice from heaven
at his Baptism. In Matthew’s gospel this
is a moment of epiphany or manifestation to all. But in the reading today the audience is
limited to Jesus. He is personally being
made aware that he is God’s Son and has pleased His Father greatly.
This is meant as a revelation to Jesus. As St. Paul indicates in the Letter to the
Philippians, at the incarnation the Son emptied himself of divinity. This emptying includes, presumedly, divine
knowledge. Now, after formation in Nazareth and with John in the desert, Jesus
is told of his status. But there is more
to the revelation than that. The Spirit’s
descent over Jesus is an anointing. Jesus
is blessed and protected for the mission of reestablishing his Father’s kingdom
in the world. He will preach, heal, and
call others to follow his example.
The form and substance of Jesus’ baptism prefigure our
own. We too have become God’s “beloved”
as we enter Christ’s body, the Church.
We too have been prepared and commissioned to bring the world in line
with the love of God, our Father.
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