Baptism of the Lord

Did Jesus remember his baptism?

Many of you will recognize the question at the top of this page as a “trick” question.  Whether you do or don’t - please read on.

In today’s gospel Matthew tells us:  “Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.”  Matthew 3:13

Do you see the difference between Jesus in today’s gospel and Jesus in the gospels we’ve heard since Christmas?

“The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in a manger.  Luke 2:16  (Luke calls him “the infant” because he won’t receive the name Jesus for another 8 days).

“And behold, the star that they (the magi) had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.”   Matthew 2:9b

The difference is the first reason we can say that Jesus remembered his baptism.  It happened when he was 30 years old.

The second, and far more important reason is that Jesus spent the remainder of his life living out this baptismal call.

The baptism of Jesus is the occasion on which he is equipped for his ministry by the Holy Spirit and proclaimed to be the Son of God.  
                                                                                  U.S. Conference of Bishops

How clever were those who developed the lectionary?  To close the Christmas season with a gospel (and feast) that moves us to the part of ordinary time where we recall the Christ-child’s earthly ministry.

Today’s musical selections reflect this transition.

The text of today’s processional hymn; “Jesus to Jordan’s Water Came” will help us enter the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

We will sing the following as we have during the Christmas season:

* Gloria in excelsis Deo as part of Paul Gibson’s “A Christmas Gloria”

* Our seasonal psalm for Christmas : “All the ends of the earth have seen the power
   of God”

* The Christmastime Alleluia

Our offertory song, Star-Child serves as the hinge between Christmas joy and the work of Christmas still to be done.

Finally, we conclude with Issac Watts call to announce, spread and live the joy of Christ’s birth and reign on earth as in heaven.

Blessed to be in ministry with you at St. Mary’s,

Bruce

PS
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