{"id":3222,"date":"2016-01-08T18:30:33","date_gmt":"2016-01-08T18:30:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/?p=3222"},"modified":"2015-12-23T18:37:40","modified_gmt":"2015-12-23T18:37:40","slug":"commentary-on-baptism-of-the-lord-10th-january-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/commentary-on-baptism-of-the-lord-10th-january-2016\/","title":{"rendered":"Commentary on Baptism of the Lord, 10th January 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"

TEXT – Luke 3: 15\u201316; 21\u201322 \u2014 Baptism of the Lord<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

John\u2019s Testimony<\/strong><\/p>\n

15 As the people were in expectation, and all men questioned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he were the Christ, 16 John answered them all, \u201cI baptize you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. <\/em><\/p>\n

Jesus\u2019 Baptism<\/strong><\/p>\n

21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying,<\/em><\/p>\n

Immediate Effects<\/strong><\/p>\n

the heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, \u201cYou are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

EXPLANATION<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

15 As the people were in expectation, and all men questioned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he were the Christ<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAs the people were in expectation<\/em>\u201d \u2014 There was a great expectation that the Messiah was coming. Because of the Roman invasion, these expectations were for a political leader who would free Israel from the Romans and bring about an era of great worldly prosperity.<\/p>\n

\u201cand all men questioned in their hearts concerning John<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Luke mentions \u201call men<\/em>\u201d to indicate the universal expectation of the Messiah\u2019s imminent coming. He also mentions that this desire was \u201cin their hearts<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cwhether perhaps he were the Christ<\/em>\u201d \u2014 \u201cThe Christ<\/em>\u201d is the Greek word for Messiah. People wondered if John might be the expected Messiah.<\/p>\n

16 John answered them all, \u201cI baptize you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cJohn answered them all<\/em>\u201d \u2014 As in the previous verse where Luke mentions that \u201call men<\/em>\u201d were expecting the Messiah, here he uses the same universal expression to indicate that John is telling everyone that (i) Jesus is greater than he, John, is and that (ii) Jesus\u2019 baptism is greater than John\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018but he who is mightier than I is coming<\/em>\u2019\u201d \u2014 This is the first point: the Christ who is coming is more powerful than John.<\/p>\n

\u201cthe thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Only servants were allowed perform this task. A rabbi\u2019s disciples were forbidden to untie his master\u2019s sandals as being too menial a task. John looked on untying Jesus\u2019 sandal straps as too great an honour for him. He saw himself as unworthy of this privilege. He was truly humble.<\/p>\n

\u201cI baptize you with water; \u2026 he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The Holy Spirit is a major theme in Luke\u2019s Gospel (Lk. 1: 15, 35, 41, 67; 2: 25\u201327; 3: 16, 22; 4: 1, 14, 18; 10: 21; 11: 13; 12: 10, 12). Luke portrays the Holy Spirit as God\u2019s special gift. He filled Jesus who exercised his ministry in the power of the Spirit. A major fruit of the Spirit is joy, mentioned twenty\u2013seven times in Luke\u2019s Gospel. Jesus promised that his followers would be happy and blessed (Lk. 1: 45; 6: 20\u201322; 7: 23; 10: 23; 11: 27\u201328; 12: 37; 14: 14\u201316; 23: 29). This joy is not something outside the person but within because of his or her union with Christ.<\/p>\n

\u201cand with fire<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The Catechism of the Catholic Church<\/em> (art. 696) explains: \u201cWhile water signifies birth and the fruitfulness of life given in the Holy Spirit, fire symbolizes the transforming energy of the Holy Spirit\u2019s actions. [Examples] The prayer of the prophet Elijah, \u2018who arose like fire\u2019 and whose \u2018word burned like a torch\u2019, brought down fire from heaven on the sacrifice on Mount Carmel. This event was a \u2018figure\u2019 of the fire of the Holy Spirit, who transforms what he touches. John the Baptist, who goes \u2018before [the Lord] in the spirit and power of Elijah,\u2019 proclaims Christ as the one who \u2018will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire\u2019. Jesus will say of the Spirit: \u2018I came to cast fire upon the earth; and would that it were already kindled!\u2019 In the form of tongues \u2018as of fire,\u2019 the Holy Spirit rests on the disciples on the morning of Pentecost and fills them with himself. [End of examples] The spiritual tradition has retained this symbolism of fire as one of the most expressive images of the Holy Spirit\u2019s actions. \u2018Do not quench the Spirit.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened,<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cNow when all the people were baptized<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The purpose of John\u2019s baptism was \u201cto make ready for the Lord a people prepared<\/em>\u201d (Lk. 1: 17). All the people are now baptised so everything is ready for the Lord. This means that, in the plan of salvation, everything is prepared for the appearance of the Messiah.<\/p>\n

\u201cand when Jesus also had been baptized\u201d<\/em> \u2014 It is interesting that John\u2019s name does not occur in these two verses. The early Church was very embarrassed that John should have baptised the Messiah who did not need baptism. Many, including Luke, played down this episode as much as possible. What was highlighted was the action of the Blessed Trinity: heaven was opened; the Holy Spirit really descended; and the Father spoke.<\/p>\n

and was praying<\/em>\u201d \u2014 A theme in Luke\u2019s Gospel is that Jesus prays before important decisions and moments: Lk. 3: 21 (this verse), the heavens are opened; 5: 16, before healings; 6: 12, before the election of the Twelve; 9: 18, before Peter\u2019s confession; 9: 28\u201329, before the transfiguration; 11: 1, before instruction on prayer; 22: 41, 44\u201345, his agony before his sentencing to crucifixion; 23: 34, 46, before his death in the cross. The present occasion is a declaration that he is the Messiah coming to inaugurate the Messianic era.<\/p>\n

\u201cthe heaven was opened<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The Holy Spirit will come down freely and abundantly and people will be able to ascend and enter heaven which had been closed since original sin had blocked it. Jesus will lead the way (Lk. 24: 51).<\/p>\n

22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cand the Holy Spirit descended upon him<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The Holy Spirit has been working previously in this Gospel (Lk. 1:15, 35, 41, 67; 2: 25, 26). His function here is to anoint Jesus for his mission of salvation, as becomes clear in Lk. 4: 16\u201321.<\/p>\n

\u201cin bodily form like a dove<\/em>\u201d \u2014 \u201cIn bodily from<\/em>\u201d means \u2018in truth, in reality\u2019. The Holy Spirit is a spirit and so does not have a body. The Holy Spirit really did come down on Jesus and he is described as \u201clike<\/em>\u201d a dove. In Genesis the Spirit is mentioned twice, first (Gn. 1: 2) as hovering over the waters at the moment of a new beginning, creation (the book of Genesis first words are, \u201cin the beginning<\/em>\u201d); second, after the flood when it returned with the olive leaf and heralded a new beginning (Gn. 8: 11). As described by Luke here, the meaning is that Jesus is inaugurating a new era of peace and reconciliation.<\/p>\n

The coming down of the Holy Spirit does not mean that Jesus did not have the Holy Spirit previously. This description is a means of declaring that Jesus is now undertaking a new way of life. He is now \u2018anointed\u2019 by the Holy Spirit; he is the Messiah. A great theologian, St. Cyril of Alexandria, wrote, \u201cIf we use right reasoning and the testimonies of scripture, Christ did not receive the Spirit for himself, but rather for us in himself: for all good things flow through him also into us\u201d. Jesus is commencing his mission for our salvation which comes through the workings of the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n

And a voice came from heaven, \u201cYou are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.\u201d <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd a voice came from heaven, \u2018You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.\u2019\u201d<\/em> \u2014 God the Father speaks directly to Jesus. He tells him three tings. First, as his Son, Jesus is divine. Second, as his \u201cbeloved<\/em>\u201d, he is loved by his Father. It is the God of Love who is coming. Third, his Father is pleased because he is now anointed to inaugurate his mission for the salvation of the world.<\/p>\n

These words recall the First Suffering Servant Song (Is. 1\u20134), indicating that the Father recognises his Son as the Suffering Messiah: \u201cHere is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen <\/em>[\u2018beloved\u2019], in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The words of the Father confirm that Jesus is the Anointed, the Messiah, sent by God and that he is his divine Son.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

APPLICATION<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

1. St. Luke opens his gospel with two chapters, 1 and 2, telling of the infancy of Jesus. Chapter three moves on thirty years (Lk. 3: 23) and describes John the Baptist preparing for the coming of Jesus. It speaks of John\u2019s baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin. It concludes by saying that John was arrested and imprisoned by Herod the tetrarch (Lk. 3: 19\u201320). Today\u2019s passage introduces Jesus as he commences his public ministry by being baptised and heaven is opened, the Holy Spirit anoints him and the Father speaks from heaven.<\/p>\n

What Luke wishes to establish is the identity of Jesus before he undertakes his mission. The two verses that are given in this passage tell of his divine origins and the following verses of the chapter refer to his human origins in his genealogy.<\/p>\n

What are his divine origins? As Son sent by the Father he is the Messiah, the Son of God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church<\/em> explains: \u201cIn the Old Testament the prophets announced that the Spirit of the Lord would rest on the hoped\u2013for Messiah for his saving mission [See Lk. 4: 16\u201322]. The descent of the Holy Spirit on Jesus at his baptism by John was the sign that this was he who was to come, the Messiah, the Son of God. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit; his whole life and his whole mission are carried out in total communion with the Holy Spirit whom the Father gives him \u201cwithout measure\u201d (CCC<\/em>, 1286).<\/p>\n

\u201cThe baptism of Jesus is on his part the acceptance and inauguration of his mission as God\u2019s suffering Servant. He allows himself to be numbered among sinners; he is already \u201cthe Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world<\/em>\u201d. Already he is anticipating the \u201cbaptism<\/em>\u201d of his bloody death. Already he is coming to \u201cfulfil all righteousness<\/em>\u201d, that is, he is submitting himself entirely to his Father\u2019s will: out of love he consents to this baptism of death for the remission of our sins. The Father\u2019s voice responds to the Son\u2019s acceptance, proclaiming his entire delight in his Son. The Spirit whom Jesus possessed in fullness from his conception comes to \u201crest on him<\/em>\u201d. Jesus will be the source of the Spirit for all mankind. At his baptism \u201cthe heavens were opened<\/em>\u201d \u2014 the heavens that Adam\u2019s sin had closed \u2014 and the waters were sanctified by the descent of Jesus and the Spirit, a prelude to the new creation\u201d (CCC<\/em>, 536)<\/p>\n

2. Jesus came to the Jordan River to be baptised. He came incognito. He did not want to draw attention to himself. John was in prison (Lk. 3: 19\u201320). Luke has Jesus come on the scene immediately after announcing the Baptist\u2019s arrest to show that Jesus was now centre\u2013stage; he was taking over from John. John had prepared for him; his mission has been accomplished: \u201call the people had been baptised<\/em>\u201d. Knowing that John was in prison Jesus knew that John\u2019s fate would be his; he was beginning a mission that would lead to his death. Later he would say \u201cI came to cast fire upon the earth; and would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptised with; and how I am constrained until it is accomplished<\/em>\u201d (Lk. 12: 49\u201350). This means that Jesus set out to save the world with the transforming action of the Holy Spirit. He wished that it were blazing already but that had to await his death and resurrection. That would be his second baptism, his inundation in suffering and death.<\/p>\n

3. Luke is teaching us not only history but he colours it to teach theology, a word which means \u2018the word of God\u2019, the word about God. He tells us that Jesus came to the Jordan in great humility, as one of the crowd, as an unknown. He who is sinless received the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins to identify with sinners. Throughout his ministry he will be accused by his enemies and opponents as one who welcomes sinners into his company. He will even declare that he came primarily for sinners. His mission is to save sinners, to have them repent for their sins. His baptism is a public declaration of his mission of salvation of sinners.<\/p>\n

His humility was shown also by his prayer. He was a person of intense prayer, of depending on his Father for every need, his own and those of others. He was constant in prayer throughout his life, a major theme in Luke\u2019s Gospel. Read carefully, \u201cAfter he had been baptised and was prayin<\/em>g\u201d and note that heaven was opened, the Holy Spirit came down upon him to anoint him and the Father spoke are three results, not of his baptism but of his prayer. Could there be any greater incentive to being persons of prayer in one\u2019s own needs and those of others than Jesus\u2019 humble prayer for himself and others?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

TEXT – Luke 3: 15\u201316; 21\u201322 \u2014 Baptism of the Lord John\u2019s Testimony 15 As the people were in expectation, and all men questioned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he were the Christ, 16 John answered them all, \u201cI baptize you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3223,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[45],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3222","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-commentary"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3222","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3222"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3222\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3224,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3222\/revisions\/3224"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3223"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3222"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3222"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3222"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}