Pastor's Letter 20210110 - 10 January 2021 - The Beginning of Jesus' Public Life

[Father Michael]

January 10th, 2021

The Baptism of Jesus

Today’s Theme:   “The Beginning Of Jesus’ Public Life”  

A Message from Father †Michael

Reflection on Today’s Scripture Selections

In his account of Jesus’ Baptism, Mark’s main concern is with Jesus’ identity.  The heavenly voice, “You are My beloved Son,” (Psalm 2:7,) one used for the coronation of kings from the house of David, and thus points to Jesus as the Messiah.  The words, “With You I am well pleased,” (Isaiah 42:1,) pointing to Jesus as Isaiah’s “Suffering Servant,” who is to bear the infirmities of many.  

Decisive Moments in Life

Many people experience moments that prove to be decisive turning points in their lives.   They reach cross-roads, where they are confronted with radically different choices.   They are forced to make a fundamental decision after which their life will never be the same, again. It may be a moment of illumination for the mind.  If one responds to that “grace,” they may be “lifted out” of themselves, and start on a new path. If not, the opportunity may be gone forever.

Shakespeare once wrote:

"There is a tide in the affairs of men

Which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;

Omitted, all the voyage of their life

Is bound in shallows and miseries.

~~Julius Caesar: Act 4, Scene 3~~

Such a moment of decision can be thrust upon a person like a “bolt out the blue.”   Jesus’ Baptism by John was one—truly, a turning point in His life. Gospel accounts would suggest, prior to that, His life was comparatively quiet and secure.  As Joseph’s apprentice, He would have learned carpentry.   As a child of Jewish parents, He would have gone to Synagogue and Hebrew School, learning the oral and written traditions of His faith, as well as customs and rites, according to Torah.  All the while, He would have also been hearing “His Father’s call,” to a more important life.  When His cousin, John began his work of preaching and baptizing, Jesus suddenly left his old life and opted for a new one—that of a spiritual teacher, and healer to His brothers and sisters.

From that moment, His life was never the same.  Having found His ultimate vocation, His hidden qualities of caring and loving, which had been growing quietly like wheat in a field, now were manifested and given full expression.

Most of us have known moments that have proved turning points in life.  However, the direction of our lives may not have been the result of some major decision, but rather, due to a series of little ones.  At any time we are not satisfied with our focus, or if we feel we are “stuck in a rut,” we are able to change our situation. At Baptism, we were pointed in a very specific direction—toward eternal life— to  life lived “in abundance.”  Then we began to share in the life of God as disciples of Jesus.  We were called to fight against evil and love one another.  

Ripe for the Call

Alpine flowers bloom almost at the very first touch of the spring sun.  They are able to respond so quickly because they have been growing quietly under the crust of snow, and are just waiting for a “door to be opened” in order to burst forth.  They are “ripe” to grow and to blossom at the “call” of Spring.

Scripture tells us that Jesus lived nearly 30- years at Nazareth.  We can deduce He was not idling away, merely “waiting” to begin his public life.  Rather, He was preparing Himself, living a true and genuine life.  A vocation requires a period of apprenticeship and formation.  The profound experiences that shape a person’s character—the things that mold them—take time.  People must be willing to work through a time of development before attaining proficiency.  This is the basis for all higher education—obtaining credit for “core studies” before one delves into the “meat” of a “major” subject.  

During Jesus’ youth and young adulthood, He grew in maturity, wisdom and grace (Luke 2:40.)   Tradition pictures Him as a gentle Boy, yet somewhat different and apart, with a perpetually watchful “air.”  30-years may seem a long while by modern standards, but it is better to serve a relatively long time of preparation than to start before one is ready. Further, we can presume it was a normal scenario in 1st Century Jewish society.

When Jesus’ call finally came, it would not have been unexpected to Jesus.  It was always “in Him,” but He couldn’t “hurry it.”   It is meaningless to wonder if He could have answered it earlier.  The future has to “enter into us” long before it happens.  Hermann Hess is quoted as saying, “When destiny comes to a man from within, from his innermost being, it makes him strong, it makes him a ‘god.’ ”   Jesus’ call was to serve His brothers and sisters and He was “ripe for the call.”  In this sense, He was able to properly respond to people.  

We learn patience from observing nature— witnessed in the slowness of unfolding bulbs.   The fruit that misses a single stage in the ripening process never attains maturity.  We also are called to grow in wisdom and grace.   Whereas Jesus required 30-years to properly mature, it may be that we need a lifetime to acquire wisdom—ripening and becoming proper children of God. Let us ask God for the patience and strength to nurture into ripeness the seeds He sowed in us on the day of our spiritual birth—the day of our Baptism.

Identifying with Sinners

Mahatma Gandhi was not a Christian, yet he was one of the most Christlike men of the 20th century.  Albert Einstein once said of him: “Generations to come will find it hard to believe that such a man as he ever walked upon this earth.”

A staunch opponent of India’s iniquitous caste system, he referred to it as a “blot on the soul of India.”  He especially abhorred the treatment meted out to the untouchables— those who belong to no caste.  They were barred from entering temples, confined to slums, and only allowed to perform the most menial tasks.  They were even prohibited from using water wells for fear they would contaminate those of the castes who might use them.  

Gandhi’s life, especially his reception in towns in India where he visited, was eerily similar to Jesus’ during His earthly ministry.   Though he was of an upper caste, he sought out the poor untouchables where they lived.   In turn, they welcomed him with open arms.

When Jesus’ joined the queue of sinners waiting to be baptized by John, it was a mighty act of identification. He was associating with the kind of people He had come to earth to save, namely sinners, effectively show them He was “on their side.”   What Jesus did that day at the Jordan was to serve as a model for His public ministry.   Jesus didn’t “stand apart” or put Himself above sinners, but placed Himself among them. He encouraged them to come to Him, joining them where they were; and was even accused of being and treated as a sinner.  He was motivated by compassion—in the role of God’s servant, sent to bring good news to the poor.  And God was well pleased with Him and His.  This is yet another way Jesus shows His love for us.  

Though completely sinless, Jesus took our sinful condition upon Himself, placing Himself beside us as would an older brother or a father.  He reveals that we are God’s precious children and wants to lead us from our wretched condition of sin and death.  He wants us to have life here…and hereafter. 

May God Richly Bless You! “

Being God, He was called the Devil; Being love, He was hated;

Being Innocent, He was crucified; Being King, He became a servant.

Being blameless, He took our blame; being sinless, He died for our sins!”

~~1-Minute Bible Love Notes~~  

To view a live stream of today's Holy Mass, Click here: https://youtu.be/hinTvr0de78

Spirit of God.docx

Spirit of God.mp3

 

Edited January 10, 2021 by Father Michael