Advent Reflections

Today’s feast of the Baptism of the Lord marks the end of the Christmas season. Except for Easter, the Baptism of the Lord is our oldest liturgical feast, going back to the first years of the second century. It has always been considered to be a primary feast in the church calendar, one which expresses both the Trinitarian and cosmic order of our salvation.

In the story we read in John’s gospel today both the Baptist and Jesus are baptizing at the same time, Jesus in Judea, and John in Aenon. It appears that a competition is brewing provoking a dispute between John’s disciples and a certain Jewish leader (Nicodemus?). Apparently, Jesus is attracting more followers than John, even though he himself did not actually baptize, likely leaving that ministry to the disciples acting under his agency and his authority (John 4:2). In any case, John once again gives testimony to his role: “I am the one who has been sent to go before him. No one can have anything except what is given him from heaven.” John’s response is simple, sincere, courageous, and visionary.

Today, January 7th, we continue our reflection on what Epiphany means for us in our present time. How is God’s light shining on us and through us so that others see the light of Christ shining in our words and actions. This is the way we witness to our faith, how we respond to the needs of others. In the Gospel from Luke, 5:12-16, Jesus meets a man full of leprosy who pleads, ‘Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.’ Lepers were excluded from all society, especially from the worshiping community. Jesus knows that if he even touches him, he himself will become unclean. It is a risk for Jesus to respond, but he decides to break the law to heal this man. He responds and touches him with love and healing. What a witness! Jesus also shows respect for the law by telling the man to show himself to the priest that he has been healed.

Following Epiphany, it’s no surprise we hear stories of Jesus’ power. Today, he walks on water. When Jesus saw the disciples rowing against a hard wind he set out across the waves, I would presume, to rescue them. Then we encounter a curious detail: “He meant to pass them by.” Maybe he intended for them to finish the crossing on their own power while he cheered them on. Whatever the plan, when the disciples caught sight of Jesus, they thought it was a ghost and the were not just afraid, they were terrified. Jesus quickly changed course calling out “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” He jumped in the boat with them, and the wind died down.

Today, John teaches us that the love of God is revealed to us in the giving of Christ Jesus to the world so that we might have life through Him. And not just ordinary life, but Divine Life by grace. It is the nature of this divine love that it be nourishing and lifegiving, and when it is shared, it is only amplified and never diminished or lost.