Epiphany: The Lord’s Baptism
Gospel Reading: Mark 1:4–11
4John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 9In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
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Reflection:
All Justice Fulfilled in All Things
by David Morrison
Just before he was baptized in the Jordan, Jesus said something mysterious to John: “This is fitting to fulfill all righteousness.” As his toe broke the surface of the water, the process of putting all things in right relationship began to quicken. Water, which had been previously perceived to be the agent of divine judgment on the earth, now becomes sacred and life-giving. Heaven, which had beforehand appeared to be sealed shut, now is torn open, and the dove of the Holy Spirit alights permanently on the Son of Mankind. We are not isolated individuals existing in sequestered cells. Rather, we are the sum of all our relationships. God becoming human brings harmony to all things in their intricate connections. If I look deep within at electrons flowing inside their atoms, I can say, “All my relations.” If I look outward into the infinity of space and I see the vastness of it all, and I sense the loneliness of my own existence, questioning who I am: I can whisper with confidence, “I am… all my relations.”
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Prayer:
Isaiah 12:2-3
“Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the Lord God is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.” Therefore you will joyously draw water from the springs of salvation.”
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Tsedeq
by David Morrison
Jesus, you soaked yourself into the river of our humanity
so that we can be plunged into the river of your divinity
To make us one with you.
To make us fully human.
We give you thanks.
As Moses’ branch turned the bitter waters sweet
As you broke the river’s surface at your baptism:
So reconcile me to you in peace
So reconcile me to those with whom I’m not at peace
So reconcile all things
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From the Breastplate of St. Patrick
“Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.”
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*Banner image: Created by David Morrison with WOMBO Dream.
Very cool message, but I got another one out of it about humility.
Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”
It breaks my heart that God would authorize me to baptize someone. I obliterates me that God incarnate would show up as one of those to be baptized by my hands in His waters. Once I’m obliterated, I am humbled. I would say I’m humbled once and for all…. but I know better. I am humbled once, and for now.
I pray that it will stick longer than the last time I was humbled… and not as long as the next time.
Again, thanks brother.
Thanks for your insights, Jeff. Great stuff. I especially like the observation that there is absolutely a fluidity and continuity in your spiritual journey. It’s not like “now you’re this, and now you’re not this.” The categories and labels don’t cross over in spirit, it seems. John Scotus Eriugena maintained that the Greek word for “God,” (theos) was a derivative of the word, “theo,’ which means to “flow,” or “run.” I would even think that Buddhist philosophy would agree that the hard lined identifications we tend to define ourselves with don’t really exist. Anyway–I’m grateful on behalf of that family that you were there for them–being an agent of mercy and love.