The Baptism of the Lord (C); January 12, 2025

Is 42:1-4,6-7.  Ps 29.  Acts 10:34-38.  Lk 3:15-16,21-22

Deacon Jim McFadden

       Today’s Gospel shows us the scene in which Jesus’ public ministry begins: he, who is the Son of God and the Messiah, goes to the banks of the Jordan River to be baptized by John the Baptist.  After 30 years of a hidden life, Jesus does not launch his ministry with a dramatic presentation such as attention-grabbing miracles or a keynote address.  Rather, he gets in line with all the other people who were going to receive baptism from John.  Franco Zeffirelli in his classic, epic TV series, Jesus of Nazareth (1977),  poignantly depicts this scene.  Jesus queues up with all the people with their bare feet, signifying their bare souls.  Jesus is right there with them; he is sharing the plight of sinners.  In the movie, he is moving towards John, he is moving towards us; he descends into the river, into our wounded humanity.  He immerses himself into our waters so that he may heal us.  He immerses himself right in our midst.

            Besides identifying with those humble people, there’s another important point that could be overlooked, but is important.  In the very moment that Jesus was baptized, the text says that he “was praying” (Lk 3:21).  Jesus prays.  But why?

He is the Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity, why does he pray just like us?   Yes, Jesus does pray and this won’t be the last time for the Gospels repeat that Jesus  prays frequently; he spends a lot of time in prayer: at the beginning of the day, often at night, before making important decisions.  You see, Jesus’ prayer is an ongoing dialogue with his Father; he is always in the presence of his Father in which their conversation is ongoing.  So, this Gospel underscores two important moments in the life of Jesus: he descends towards us in the waters of baptism; and, he raises his eyes and his heart, praying to his Father.

            This is a great lesson for us.  Life is hard and we all have to deal with conflicts, problems, dicey and complicated situations that feel overwhelming.  As life comes to us, we’re faced with difficult moments and problematic choices that can be demoralizing.  But if we don’t want to be crushed, we need to raise everything upwards to God.  This is exactly what prayer does.  It doesn’t remove our problems; it’s not an escape route to our protected cocoon. It’s not a magical ritual in which the darkness of our situation suddenly morphs into Technicolor  as in the movie, The Wizard of Oz. 

            No,  to pray is to let God act within us; to understand what he wants to communicate to us, even in the most difficult situations.  God is never MIA; he is always present.  As Moses reminded the Israelites as they entered the Promised Land, “For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the Lord, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him?” (Dt 4:7).  Being available to us, we pray to have the strength to go forward accompanied by him.  Sometimes we feel like just giving up.  But prayer is this bridge, this conduit of divine presence that helps us because prayer keeps us united with God, which opens up our heart to the Lord.  It is dialoguing with God; it is listening to his Word; sometimes it is remaining  still, not using words or images, but simply resting in his presence, entrusting what we are experiencing to him. 

            Sometimes prayer is a release in which we cry out to him in our anguish just like Job did, venting our frustration that God does not appear to be doing enough to alleviate our suffering.  God can take it.  He is our Father; he understands.  He never gets angry because we are upset.  He stays with us no matter what.  And Jesus prays.

            Another beautiful image is that as Jesus was praying, “heaven was opened” (v. 21). Prayer opens the heavens: the transcendent God is now before us.  And, his presence gives life; it’s like the oxygen we breathe even in the midst of having the wind knocked out of us.  Prayer  let’s us see things from a broader perspective, from God’s consciousness.  Above all, when the heavens open, we will experience the same thing that Jesus did at the Jordan.  When we pray, the Father will say to us just what he said to Jesus: “You are my beloved Son” (cf. v. 22).  Being God’s children began at our baptism when we were initiated into Jesus’ mystical Body, the Church.  Being immersed into Christ, and as members of the People of God, made us become beloved children of the Father, which is our true identity.  Let us remember, no matter what life throws at us, that we are a beloved son or daughter of the Father in that beloved Son.  Therefore, every baptized person should hear the same words, the same voice that Jesus did: “You are my beloved son, you are my beloved daughter with whom I am well pleased” (v. 22).  That’s the deepest truth of baptism. 

            And, let us turn to Our Lady, the prayerful Virgin Mary, who made her life into a hymn in praise of God.  Amen. 

            Reflection Questions:

1. When Jesus descended into the Jordan River, he immerses himself in our wounded humanity.  What does that say to you
2. For Jesus, prayer was an on-going dialogue with his Father.  Does that obtain with you?
3. Does your prayer life connect you with God in an on-going substantial way?  If so, why?  If not, why?