Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Jan. 11, 2015

Fra Angelico. Baptism of Christ. c.1441. Fresco, Museo di San Marco, Florence.

We remember the Baptism of Jesus today, and all our readings speak of creation and new life through God in Word and Spirit. First, in the familiar opening verses of the ancient creation story in Genesis, we can see the idea of God in three persons taking shape: God the Creator is present. God’s Word makes the light shine in the darkness. God’s spirit breath sweeps over the water. In the beginning God creates heaven and earth. In the beginning was the Word.

Psalm: Psalm 29

This striking, poetic psalm portrays God’s powerful spirit wind as a majestic storm. Such a storm might scare us into running for shelter. But it is also the kind of awesome storm symphony that might lead us out on the porch to feel the rain and the wind touch our faces as the mighty storm rolls by. And then we cry out in worship, thanking the God who gives us strength and peace.

Second Reading: Acts 19:1-7

Remember last week’s New Testament reading, in which Paul prayed that God would give God’s Spirit of wisdom and revelation to the Ephesians, enlightening their hearts? Now, in the Acts of the Apostles, we hear about Paul introducing 12 Ephesians to the Holy Spirit. Baptized in John’s baptism of repentance, now Paul baptizes them in the Spirit in Jesus’ name. They joyfully speak in tongues and prophesy as the Holy Spirit comes to them.

Gospel: Mark 1:4-11

Now God’s Spirit moves over the waters again, this time as a dove coming down while Jesus emerges, dripping, from Jordan’s water, baptized by the prophet John, who quickly defers to Jesus’ greater power to baptize with the Holy Spirit. As Jesus begins his public ministry in the opening book of Mark, we hear God’s voice, God’s Word from above, declaring that Jesus is God’s Son, God’s Beloved, in whom God is pleased. When we are all baptized into the Body of Christ, we too become God’s sons and daughters, and our loving God is pleased.