Thoughts on Sunday’s Lessons for Jan. 7, 2018

The Baptism of Christ (c.1622-23). Oil painting on canvas by Guido Reni (1575–1642). Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna. (Click image to enlarge.)

Sunday’s readings speak to us of creation and new life through God in Word and Spirit, and the metaphor of water recurs. Our first reading begins with the opening words of the ancient creation story in Genesis. Listen closely and hear the idea of one God functioning in a triune way: God is present as Creator. God’s Word rings out, and light shines in the darkness. Then God’s spirit breath sweeps over the face of the waters. In the beginning God creates heaven and earth. In the beginning was the Word.

Psalm: Psalm 29

“Ascribe due honor to God’s holy name.” This striking psalm of worship uses the metaphor of a majestic storm to portray God’s powerful spirit wind. Such a damaging storm, breaking mighty cedars, shooting flames, and shaking the wilderness, might scare us into running for shelter. But it also has potential to lure us outside to feel the rain and the wind on our faces as the storm rolls by. After such an event, all surely cry out in worship, thanking the God who gives us strength and peace.

Second Reading: Acts 19:1-7

In the Acts of the Apostles, which continues the narrative of Luke’s Gospel and follows the story of the early church after Jesus’ death, we see Paul introducing a dozen Ephesians to the Holy Spirit. They say that they had already been baptized through John’s baptism, but when Paul explains that John told the people to believe in the one who was to come after him – Jesus – they eagerly accept Paul’s baptism in Jesus’ name. Then they joyfully burst into speaking in tongues and prophesying as the Holy Spirit comes to them.

Gospel: Mark 1:4-11

God’s Spirit moves over the waters again: This time the Holy Spirit is embodied as a dove that Jesus sees coming down as he emerges, dripping, from Jordan’s water, baptized by the prophet John. John is quick to tell the crowds that this man, Jesus, is the one more powerful who is coming after him and whose sandals he is not worthy to untie. Jesus, says John, will baptize not only with water but with the Holy Spirit. There’s no birth story or genealogy in Mark’s short, forthright Gospel: Jesus enters as an adult, and as he is baptized we hear God’s Word from above declaring that Jesus is God’s Son, God’s Beloved, in whom God is pleased.