The Baptism of the Lord

The Baptism of the Lord

        A “Latino” American can sometimes have a tough time convincing others of his US citizenship, even though his family has centuries of roots in the US when Texas was still part of Mexico. An Indian citizen of England, whose grandparents became British citizens 80 years ago, still gets the question “What country are you from?” even though both she and her parents were born and raised in England. A person of color born in Italy is stopped by police in Rome, suspected of being an illegal “African” alien, even though he has never known any other country, nor spoken anything but Italian. With all of those examples, I think it’s safe to say that most people obviously have an image of what a “citizen” is supposed to look like. The challenge for any country with a history of immigration is to correct outdated prejudices about who their compatriots really are … and what they are “supposed” to look like.

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Entrance Antiphon: Mt 3:16-17 – “After the Lord was baptized, the heavens were opened, and the Spirit descended upon Him like a dove, and the voice of the Father thundered: ‘This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’”

First Reading: Is 40:1-5, 9-11 – “The glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all people shall see it.”

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 104:1b-2, 3-4, 24-25, 27-28, 29-30 – “O bless the Lord, my soul.”

Second Reading: Ti 2:11-14; 3:4-7 – “Jesus Christ saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”

Alleluia: Lk 3:16 – “John said: One mightier than I is coming; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”

Gospel: Lk 3:15-16, 21-22 – “When Jesus had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened.”

Communion Antiphon: Jn 1:32, 34 – “Behold the One of whom John said: ‘I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.’”

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         This weekend, we celebrate the Feast of The Baptism of the Lord. And having just told you that … here’s a question … what exactly are we celebrating? Well, I believe that at one level, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord celebrates the God who looks like us. God calls Jesus His “Son” for all to hear, and Jesus is identified as the One in whom He is “well-pleased.” There might have been those among the astounded hearers who could have remarked: “But He doesn’t look anything like God! Shouldn’t God look a little more divine?” Yet, this moment in Jesus’ story begins His “public life.” Consecrated in relationship with God as Father, He is sent on the mission envisioned by the prophet Isaiah: to be a “covenant to the people and a light to the nations.”

         So, think back to your own Baptism. For some of us that might be a bit further back than we care to remember. We are taught that through the Sacrament, we receive our identity as sons and daughters of God … in other words, we become part of the Body of Christ. If we knew what God “looked like,” perhaps we could judge our “family resemblance.” Think about today’s Feast … one God, indivisible and eternal … takes on flesh and blood … and binds Himself to all humanity as a “brother.” The Sacrament of Baptism confirms our relationship as sons and daughters and consecrates our mission to lead all men and women to their true relationship in Him … to their true relationship in God. We don’t have to walk and talk like Jews, Americans, or Europeans … as Latinos, Indians, Filipinos, Orientals, or Africans … in order to be identified as God’s children.

         Baptism gives us our citizenship. Like any family, we don’t choose those sitting next to us … nor do we choose those who share our family meal around this altar. We are all “Born Again,” … meaning we live in God’s life and grace because there is no other “life” or “relationship” that matters more. We belong to God … We are God’s … and we find ourselves belonging to others in Him.

         Another thing ... the world may not know that we are related … but it should. If the world is looking for us to stand together with one political party or another, it’s barking up the wrong tree. If the world expects that “Christianity” looks Caucasian or European or Latino or Oriental or Indian … the world has a lot to learn. If the world thinks that Christians are “right-wing” or “left-wing,” … that just doesn’t fly. Our unity is in a loving and compassionate God whose arms are wider than our own. And as a light to the nations, we need to stop identifying our God with our personal causes. We need to stop using God as an excuse to isolate ourselves from those who are different from us.

Baptism challenges us to live … to work … and to struggle to love just as God has loved us. Jesus said, “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:34-35). During the early Roman persecutions of Christianity, those who murdered Christians often marveled at the way Christians supported one another … stood up for one another … and loved one another. I wonder, will there ever come a time when in the world they ever say again, “See how they love one another”?

         In the Gospel, God identifies the Son as the One in whom He is “well-pleased.” Other translations read “in whom I take delight.” Like children who appreciate affirmation from our parents, we pray that we can be as pleasing and “delightful” as God would want us to be by acting like the brothers and sisters we are. Let God multiply the faces we know who please and delight Him … Like a mother who rejoices to have all the children together at the holidays, … even if they may have some major disagreements and arguments … perhaps the Lord is also happy to see us together this Sunday … even as the “holidays” … the “Christmas Season” in the Church’s eyes will officially end Sunday night. Monday morning, we return to Ordinary Time and for a brief time we’ll see green vestments. As a result of our common priesthood ... which we all participate in as a result of the Sacrament of Baptism ... and which we celebrate today because Jesus instituted it for us today in the River Jordan ... We share a common reason to celebrate our faithful God. Let’s also remember that God’s love suffers from the fractures in His “Mystical Body.” Let’s not forget those who were unable to join us today because of our differences. They’re still our family, and we are less Christ’s Body without them. As we walk out of Church today, think about it … if Christianity were to suddenly become illegal, would prosecutors be able to declare you guilty, simply based on your actions? Will the world ever say again, “See how they love one another?”