Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord – Year C 

Collect

Almighty ever-living God, who, when Christ had been baptized in the River Jordan and as the Holy Spirit descended upon him, solemnly declared him your beloved Son, grant that your children by adoption, reborn of water and the Holy Spirit, may always be well pleasing to you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Reflection 
Today’s Gospel begins with a description of how the Jewish people ardently awaited the coming of the Messiah.  They were expecting that the time would come when John the Baptist would change his peculiar clothing and clothe himself in the raiment of a warrior king.  But John tells them that he is not the one they are awaiting; He is still to come.  When He does appear, it is through John that He is announced to the people.    But the power and the glory of God is not displayed through armour or by a crown, but by the God-man who descended into the river to be baptised in the same manner as those who were baptised before him.  A baptism that was for sinners to have their sins forgiven (in other words, it wasn’t applicable to Him).  When He emerged from the waters, the glory of God was unveiled when the Father proclaimed Jesus as His Beloved Son in whom he is well pleased.      

Often in life, we find ourselves waiting: waiting in a queue at the bank or in an office; waiting to pay at the grocery store; waiting for the end of the month to receive our wages or pension; waiting for our bills (naturally, not with the same enthusiasm as that of our wages);  waiting to regain our strength when we are ill or waiting for results, agonising until they arrive…waiting is a part of our lives, marked by the limit of time and space. Consequently, I cannot receive all I want immediately as our modern society suggests.   

This sense of anticipation is a fundamental part of our human nature: we are creatures that await things.  It is interwoven within our spiritual dimension, and we become despondent in body and soul when there is no expectation and feel there is nothing to look forward to.  So, although the Advent Season and Christmas have come and gone, our lives are still marked by expectancy.  The difference for us who have been Baptised is that we know what we are awaiting.  Our Baptism contrasts with that of John because it not only freed us from sin but also made us beloved children of the Father, in whom He is well pleased--not because we are perfect, but because in us he sees His Son Jesus.  Now that from tomorrow we begin Ordinary Time, our expectancy makes it a struggle to live as beloved Children of the Father until that day when we see the Father face to face.  Our eager anticipation is demonstrated through the effort we put into becoming more like Jesus so that the Father may see Jesus in us and be pleased with Him.  We must continuously strive not to become stagnant and to allow the gifts of the Spirit to be renewed within us.  These gifts do not expire, but there is a risk of constraining the Spirit, not allowing Him to lead us wherever he chooses. 

Prayer

Lord Jesus, how many times do I find myself waiting, and when I acquire what I longed for, I again begin to wait for what’s next. I pray that in my continual waiting, I will remember that my whole life is one of active anticipation and dynamic restlessness. Remind me that you also waited in line in order that I may live as a beloved son, a beloved daughter of the Father. I ask that instead of waiting impatiently, I may delight in the Father knowing at the same time that He delights in me because I am an image of you, His Son, who became man and died for me.