RENEWsletter for January 10, 2010 - Baptism of the Lord

Dear Renewed Friends--
Sunday is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. One wonders if it could be called the "First Sunday of Ordinary Time, since next Sunday will be the "Second Sunday in Ordinary Time". It's a little confusing to me, but it appears that the "First Week in Ordinary Time" starts on Monday after the Baptism of the Lord Sunday, thus making next Sunday the beginning of the "Second Week in Ordinary Time".

To add to the complexity, there are two choices for the First and Second Readings next Sunday, but they all deal with baptism in one way or another. The second choices vary from year to year in the liturgical calendar, but the first selections are always the same. I'll give both sets here, so you'll be prepared no matter which set your church uses. The web has both sets of readings which can be found at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/011010.shtml and in your Bible in:

Isaiah 42.1-4, 6-7 or Isaiah 40.1-5, 9-11
Psalm 29.1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10, plus 11b as the response
Acts 10.34-38 or Titus 2.11-14, 3.4-7
Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

The prophecy of Isaiah, found in the first option for the First Reading, was fulfilled at the Jordan River when Jesus came to be baptized by John. This is God being the proud Father of his only son. "Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my Spirit" (Is. 42.1). The passage paints a very strange picture of a conquering hero coming to establish justice on the earth (v. 4). It looks more like subversion! He will not lift up his voice (v. 2). He will not so much as damage a broken reed nor snuff out a smoldering candle (v. 3). It is a subversion of the power of sin and Satan. He will take us by the hand and lead us out of darkness into his own light (vs. 6, 7).

The second option for the First Reading is more often regarded as pointing to John the Baptist, whose public ministry began somewhat before Jesus's did. A voice cries out in the desert (Is. 40.3)!

The Responsorial Psalm for this Sunday speaks of a God whose glory thunders in the skies, twists the oaks and strips the forest bare (Ps 29.3 & 9). The voice of the LORD roars in the sea, wipes the edifices of mankind from the coasts (v. 3). The voice of the LORD rocks the desert, toppling the splendorous buildings humans erect (v. 8, not in the present selection). Is God a terrorist? There's no doubt his power is terrifying. But in his temple the voices of his people are lifted in praise of his glory (v. 9). And he will bless those people of his with peace (v. 11b)!

And who are these people who were languishing in spiritual darkness and now sing his praises, being led to the light? The Israelites, for sure, but also "whoever fears him and acts uprightly", according to Peter as quoted in the first Second Reading option (Acts 10.35). In some sense, as we all know, Christ is the Conquering Hero, come to bring a sword on the earth (see Matt. 10:34). But he comes that way to those who reject him. Seeking the Lord results in the healing of all those oppressed by the devil (v. 38).

There are many aspects to the symbol of baptism. It is a choosing: God choosing us and we choosing God. We are chosen because it pleases God to choose us, "not because of any righteous deeds we have done, but because of his mercy" (Titus 3.5, 2nd option). But this is not forced upon us. We of our own free will choose repentance. As infants, it was the choice of our parents to dedicate themselves to our training and upbringing in the concepts of repentance. Later in life when we became aware and accountable, we had to make our own choices.

According to the Gospel Reading, Jesus came, of his own free will, to John the Baptist, the one who was sent before to prepare the way (Luke 3.21). This pleased God and he said so audibly by the voice from heaven and visibly by the Holy Spirit descending like a dove (v. 22). After that Jesus went about the work of healing, bringing justice to the oppressed, and teaching the ways of God's Kingdom.

It pleases God also when we go about the Lord's work, in all the ways we are individually called to serve him. With the call, we receive the wherewithal to carry it out. Whether it's to open the eyes of the spiritually blind, free prisoners from the bondage of sin, or enlighten those dwelling in darkness (Is. 42.7), we have gifts from the Holy Spirit to accomplish our calling.

Recall your baptism this Sunday and enjoy again that "bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5 again). Renewal. That's what we're about with this newsletter. Renewal of spirit, renewal of mind, renewal of dedication to the Lord's work.

What better theme with which to begin a New Year! May it be a happy, exciting and successful one for us all.

Randy Jones
"Those who hear not their call think those who do are imagining things!"