Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Jan. 10, 2016

Francesco Albani’s 17th century Baptism of Christ.

When we baptize new members into the church community, we bless the water, giving thanks for this gift. We remember the Spirit wind breathing over the water at creation; we remember he Israelites crossing the Red Sea to escape bondage in Egypt; and we remember Jesus receiving baptism from John. Water, living water, flows through all today’s readings, along with the fire of the Spirit. Isaiah assures us that God, who calls us by name and watches over us, is with us as we pass safely through waters, rivers, and fire. “Do not fear, for I am with you.”

Psalm 29

This majestic hymn envisions the power of God through the metaphor of a great storm over mighty waters, full of thunder and lightning and powerful winds that shake and break the tallest trees. Even in these fearful events, God stays with us, enthroned above the storm, giving us strength, and, when the storm has passed at last, the blessing of peace.

Second Reading: Acts 8:14-17

The Acts of the Apostles is a fascinating story about the early church. It is the Evangelist Luke’s interpretation of how Christianity spread from its infant beginning in Jerusalem to much of the then-known world in the Mediterranean. Though rooted in Judaism, the church soon opened its doors to Gentiles as well. These verses mark this significant change, as Peter and John travel to Samaria to welcome and embrace the once-hated Samaritans, baptized in water and the Spirit, as new brothers and sisters in the church.

Gospel: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

Was John the Baptist the Messiah? Many of his followers apparently wondered if he might be, but Luke proclaims the contrary, showing John himself declaring that he is not so much as worthy to untie Jesus’ sandals. Jesus, not John, will baptize not only with water but also with the Holy Spirit and fire, John says. Using the language of harvesting wheat as metaphor, John imagines Jesus presiding over a strict and final judgement, separating the wheat from the chaff. Then we hear a brief version of the familiar story of Jesus’ baptism: The Spirit comes down as a dove, and God’s voice proclaims that Jesus is God’s son, the Beloved, with whom God is well pleased.

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013.

Baptism of Christ

Psalm 29
In today’s psalm, a thundering temple hymn, the faithful sing of God’s power as seen in a great storm. Thunder and lightning, wind and noise, flashing fire and mighty winds that shake the earth and topple trees: But these are not things to fear. They are signs of the mighty power and majesty of God. As the storm comes to a close, we are left with God’s promises of strength and peace. We share in these gifts through our baptism.

Second Reading: Acts 8:14-17
The Acts of the Apostles, a sequel to Luke’s Gospel, tells the exciting story of the apostles and Paul taking the new church across the ancient Mediterranean, spreading the Good News to both Jews and Gentiles. In today’s short reading we get a glimpse of Peter and John baptizing new Christians in Samaria. Remember that the Samaritans were longtime enemies of the Jews (which is why the Good Samaritan was so surprising), but now the apostles venture boldly out, not just staying safely among “their kind.”

Gospel: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
In Luke’s account of Jesus’s baptism, he shows us images of water and fire that seem to echo what we heard in the readings from Isaiah and Psalms. The people had wondered if John the Baptist was the Messiah, but John told them no: The one who is coming – Jesus – is far more powerful than he. Then today’s reading skips three verses in which Herod put John in prison. When we return, Jesus has been baptized, the Holy Spirit appeared as a dove, and God’s voice from heaven announced that Jesus is God’s son. Let’s remember today that as baptized Christians we too are sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked as Christ’s own for ever.