Baptism of the Lord (2015-01-11)

2015 January 11 / Baptism of the Lord

[__01__]    Have we not, at times, approached the water with some reluctance, trepidation, fear?

WATER – which is very familiar – also has its dangers. [___]   Water hazards exist not only for golfers trying to reach their greens in regulation but for everyone.

In a new CITY or COUNTRY, we would ask if we were wise to drink the [H₂0] … at a new beach or coastal area, if we were wise to swim, surf, or sail …. Lifeguards anyone?

And, in the kitchen, we would check the temperature of the [H₂0] frequently depending on our intention – cook, clean, drink …?

[__02__]   We approach water and water sources and bodies of water – lakes, oceans, rivers – with some respect for their strength, if not some anxiety about their power.

The wind and sea do not obey you and me…

[__03__]  This Sunday – the final Sunday – of our Christmas season – and the Sunday after the Feast of the Epiphany is also the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

We observe that Jesus – in the Gospel – was submerged, immersed in the River Jordan.

[__04__]    Do we not understand/ evaluate athletes, soldiers, based on their capacity and capability in and around the water?

The depth of the water; the height of a wave height, or the vertical altitude of a diving board could intimidate the average person but could invite others.

They would willingly, eagerly, seek out the water, for hours, or days at a time or longer.

[__05__]  In the Baptism of the Lord – in the Jordan – we are reminded that Jesus was submerged, immersed in the same human existence as you and I have been.

Yes, he is the Son of God, human and divine.  Yes, our Lord and Savior performed miracles with water…

è Changing water into wine.

è Calming the storm with heavy precipitation and rainfall.

è Walking on the Sea of Galilee

Yet, he was also willing to be submerged, immersed in fragile human form.  What was miraculous was that God – in his infinite power – and wisdom and strength was born a human being…submerged.

[__06__]  And, in this Gospel, we read that our Savior comes up out of the water to hear God’s voice.

Yes, he’s submerged, immersed in human frailty, human form, but was still able to hear God’s voice.

“This is my beloved Son, listen to him.”  (quote ___)

[__07__]  Presented with a new water source, a new water glass in a new country or a new undertow at the beach, we would naturally be cautious.

These are natural dimensions and realities of WATER.

[__08__]  On this feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we are also presented with water as a symbol of God’s grace and presence in ordinary circumstances.

Yes, it can be daunting – we can at times feel overwhelmed by certain burdens of commitment ..

è The burdens of loving and caring for someone elderly, ill

è The burdens of loving someone who may not return our affection.

è The burden of forgiveness.

è The burden of doing the right thing even if our friends were to pull us in the the opposite direction.

In such circumstances, we would also approach the water …or the task with some fear, some concern… we might not want to dive right in.

[__09__]   The Baptism of Jesus reminds us that we are also called to immersion at times…to acceptance of the baptism not only as a freedom from original sin..but also as acceptance that we live in a world with sinfulness, brokenness…and water that is not entirely clear..sometimes muddy.

Yet, we enter this water, the stream of God’s mercy so that we also can – through baptism and God’s grace – rise to new life – and hear God’s voice… [__10__]    [__fin__]