Baptism of the Lord 2021
Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; Acts 10:34-38; Mark 1:7-11.
I am going to make you a promise. I am not going to talk about the three parts of Epiphany, of which the Lord’s Baptism is the most important, nor am I going to complain that the Church’s understanding of this has become mangled over the centuries. I am not even going to mention that what is said by the Father to Jesus at His baptism is said also to us because we are baptized into Christ. I say these things every year, and so I am going to take them as read, and to focus instead on that First Reading from the prophet whom we call Deutero-Isaiah or Second Isaiah.
This is one of the prophet’s Songs of the Suffering Servant. We do not know who exactly the prophet had in mind (always assuming, as we cannot necessarily do, that he knew himself) but we can see how these prophecies fit the Messiah, whom we recognize as Jesus, into whom we have been baptised. Consequently, we can reflect on how they apply to us.
The Song which we are considering begins “Thus says the Lord”. It is God who is speaking to us, who loves us with a parent’s love, who has given His Son out of love for us. It continues “Here is my servant whom I uphold”. We are called to serve God, and we are upheld by Him, supported by Him in our difficulties.
“My chosen one, in whom my soul delights.” These words are repeated to Jesus at His baptism, and therefore to us. God’s soul, His very being, delights in us. You and I are objects of delight to God: we make His soul happy: we give Him joy.
“I have endowed him with my spirit.” The Holy Spirit has come down on us, as it hovered over the waters at creation, as it overshadowed Our Lady at the Annunciation, as it descended upon Jesus at His baptism. God the Holy Spirit lives in us.
“That he may bring true justice to the nations.” Repeatedly, the Servant of the Lord is called to be the bringer of justice: “faithfully he brings true justice...until true justice is established on earth.....I, the Lord have called you to serve the cause of right.”
How eager are you and I for justice? Do we think and speak justly about other people? Do we behave justly? Are we concerned about justice in the wider world? Do we pray for justice? Do we support campaigns for justice, for the liberation of those who are persecuted, especially for their faith, the freeing of those who are unjustly imprisoned, the relief of debt for developing countries? What part does justice play in our mindset?
“He does not cry out or shout aloud, or make his voice heard in the streets.” Aggressive behaviour in support of justice tends to be counter-productive: yelling at people rarely convinces them. The marshalling and presentation of facts, courtesy, quiet but determined nudging carry more weight.
“He does not break the crushed reed, nor quench the wavering flame.” Encouragement, which literally means “putting heart into” is always better than discouragement. Those who are struggling, whether with their faith or their particular situation, need our support, not our censure or disapproval; they need us to be Christ for them, Christ who redeems sinners rather than condemns them. If we are truly to embody the Servant of the Lord, our attitude must always be positive, not negative; constructive rather than destructive.
“I have appointed you.... to open the eyes of the blind, to free captives from prison, and those who live in darkness from the dungeon.” There are more ways than one of being blind, prisons which have no bars or locks, darkness of the soul and mind no less than of the eyes. How do we support those who cannot see the right way forward? those who are trapped in addiction, or in abusive or otherwise destructive situations? those who live in the blackness of depression or despair?
God has indeed said to us, as to Jesus at His baptism, “You are the Beloved; my favour rests on you”. The Holy Spirit has descended on us. How are we responding?
