For Sunday, January
8, 2017, Baptism of Jesus, First Sunday after Epiphany, Year A, Readings: Isaiah
42:1-9, Psalm 29, Acts 10:34-43, Matthew 3:13-17
[Isaiah 42:1]
The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in his temple all say, “Glory!” [Psalm 29:9]
He commanded us to preach to the people and to
testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All
the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives
forgiveness of sins through his name.” [Acts
10:42-43]
And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water,
suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending
like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son,
the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
[Matthew 3:16-17]
For many Christians, though not all, Baptism is a Sacrament, a Rite of Initiation, a formal adoption into the Christian faith. A simple definition is that the word
comes from a hybrid of Latin and Greek and literally means "washing."
John, who baptizes Jesus in today's Gospel reading, used it as a sacrament in
his messianic rituals and it has roots in the Jewish tradition as a ritual of
purification.
Depending on usual practice for different denominations, there may or may not be infant baptism sometimes
called Christening, or there may be no baptism for anyone at all.
In those churches that do baptize, baptism may be by immersion -
standing in water while water is poured over the upper body, submersion - one's whole body being dipped under
and out of the water three times, aspersion, or affusion ~ with aspersion
as the sprinkling of the water and affusion as pouring water over the
head. As there are many methods, there are as many reasons
given for and against the ritual that is sacred to some.
In this Gospel account, Jesus was baptized by a somewhat reluctant John who thought that Jesus should baptize him. Jesus prevails - as he does with the footwashing and Peter later on - and we are given the words of God who directly who announces, "This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." Of course we don't know for certain if everyone present heard God, but isn't the warmth and satisfaction within all of us when we think about a moment (maybe exceedingly rare) when a parent announces pleasure or pride in us or for something we've done? Let it be so with us again, that we may please the One Parent who matters most!
The Baptism of Jesus is important, for one reason, as it marks the beginning of his ministry, empowered by the Holy Spirit, acknowledged by John, as the One who is Coming. Although free from sin, himself, he participates in a ritual of cleansing and repentance as a faithful Jewish man. Jesus rises for the first time from the waters of Baptism. Let us walk with Him through to the time he rises again and beyond...
Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to Leeosophy@gmail.com. All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way.
In this Gospel account, Jesus was baptized by a somewhat reluctant John who thought that Jesus should baptize him. Jesus prevails - as he does with the footwashing and Peter later on - and we are given the words of God who directly who announces, "This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." Of course we don't know for certain if everyone present heard God, but isn't the warmth and satisfaction within all of us when we think about a moment (maybe exceedingly rare) when a parent announces pleasure or pride in us or for something we've done? Let it be so with us again, that we may please the One Parent who matters most!
The Baptism of Jesus is important, for one reason, as it marks the beginning of his ministry, empowered by the Holy Spirit, acknowledged by John, as the One who is Coming. Although free from sin, himself, he participates in a ritual of cleansing and repentance as a faithful Jewish man. Jesus rises for the first time from the waters of Baptism. Let us walk with Him through to the time he rises again and beyond...
LET US, GOD’S
PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ Blessed Jesus, Beloved of God, You are
the Covenant God has made with us all; the wellspring of peace, the bright
beacon of love that can reach into the darkest of hearts and blindest of eyes.
Open our hearts and animate our wills to answer the call to follow and proclaim
Your salvation to all.
Jesus,
Fount of Living Water
RESPONSE: We put our trust in You
~
Blessed
Jesus, Beloved of God, impart special graces to all who lead the governments of
this World, this Country, and this Community, that they
may work together, and with us, to serve in humility, seeking peace and equity
for all. We pray
especially for: add your own petitions
Jesus, Fount of
Living Water
We put our trust in You
~ Blessed Jesus, Beloved of God, shower
Your healing mercies upon all those who are ill or filled with worry and dread,
and infuse a spirit of hope for those who give them care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…
Jesus, Fount of
Living Water
We put our trust in You
~
Blessed
Jesus, Beloved of God, for all in the midst of sorrow, grant solace in their
hearts and joy in the memories of those well-loved now returned in glory to
You, the Source of all Life. We pray especially for the repose of:
Jesus, Fount of
Living Water
We put our trust in You
~ Blessed Jesus, Beloved
of God,
we pause in this moment to offer You
our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or silently…
Jesus, Fount of
Living Water
We put our trust in You
~ Blessed Jesus, Beloved
of God, speak to the souls of those who lead Your Church that they may guide us
to whirl the oaks of faith and shake us from the wilderness of apathy in Your
Name, with grace, wisdom and strength of spirit. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Jesus, Fount of
Living Water
We put our trust in You
The Celebrant
adds: Jesus, our Christ, You rose first from
the Living Water of Baptism to bring New Life to God’s people. Raise us up in
hope, cleanse us from sin, and walk with us until You rise again to carry us
into eternity. We ask through the Holy Spirit, the Fire of our Faith, and the
Creator of all that is, who together with You are One God, now and forever and
ever. Amen.
Requests for prayers or meditations for this space or private use may be sent to Leeosophy@gmail.com. All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way.
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