Reflections on the Sunday Readings for 1/11/09 by Marie

You can find all of this week's Scripture at http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/090111.shtml

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee
and was baptized in the Jordan by John.
On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open
and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.
And a voice came from the heavens,
“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
Mark 1:9-11

Today, we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus. We also transition from the much anticipated and spirit-filled Christmas season to the more sedate ordinary time. However, we make this transition after three manifestations of God. Christmas celebrates Jesus, Son of God, becoming human, becoming the son of Mary and step-son of Joseph. Epiphany celebrates Jesus being revealed to the world and the Wise Men were directed to follow the star which led to Jesus. Once there, they bestowed gifts worthy of a king and foreshadowing the life that Jesus would lead. Through Baptism the Gospel writer, Mark, recounts the voice of a loving Parent taking pride and delight in His Son and together they reveal the Spirit which moved Jesus from private life to public service, from being given human life to human life being taken and ultimately experiencing life being transformed – again.

Many of our parents took such delight in us, that they gifted us not only with human life, but so loved God, that they wanted us to bask in the love of God through the waters of Baptism. For others, the choice to be Baptized was - or will be soon – a graced moment to be a cherished touchstone experience – similar to Jesus.

Most relatives and friends who celebrated the holidays with us have gone home. The decorations are being put away for another year. Reflectively, like Jesus in today’s Gospel, and Mary as she gazed upon her son, we can ask ourselves, what difference did this Christmas season make? What difference does Baptism make in my daily living? What new revelations or insights did we glean from being gleamed upon? How might we approach this new year differently?

Perhaps, one indicator of where we begin this year is found in the First Letter of John. He begins by greeting the community as “Beloved”. How special it is to be called “Beloved” or some other name that reveals a special, unique relationship. Another indicator is by our behavior and attitudes. As one hymn says, “They’ll know we are Christians by our love….” We, too, share in the strong bond that Jesus does with His Father through the waters of Baptism and ultimately, through the Cross. And so, how is our love of God, family, friends, co-workers and strangers as daily life impinges upon us?

As in our first reading, Isaiah observed that people get discouraged from the grind of daily living. So many demands and challenges – not so unlike today. Perhaps, economic hardships, illness, or death of a loved one were recent experiences. The prophet reminds that we too need to be frequently renewed by love. And while we may have fallen short in the past year, we are still loved and embraced by our God. That’s our covenant relationship with God. We were promised help – and were given that help through the Promised One.

Now we have come full circle, It’s appropriate today, that we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus. Jesus asked His Father for support as he moved from private life to a public life of self-less love and service. And we can do the same - keeping alive our new revelations or insights- as we move from the holiday high points to the more routine, hopefully calmer, daily living.

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