The Holy Spirit is poured into everyone who follows him, shares the proclamation of his message

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

“Looking Ahead” is a reflection on the Sunday readings, for the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, by Father Perry.

Today’s Gospel passage from John the Evangelist is quite different from the Synoptic Gospel’s depiction of John the Baptist.

Any description of “the Baptist’s relationship with Jesus and his connection with ministry to prepare the way of the Lord is almost entirely absent.

In this passage he makes one clear statement about himself and his relationship with Jesus, and two statements about Jesus.

These three comments are the “heart” of the passage.

About himself, John states that: “I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel.”

It is a curious statement at best since, in the Synoptic Gospels, John not only knows Jesus, but he is clearly related to him.

Their mothers, Elizabeth and Mary, are close cousins; the scriptures describe the occasion for a lengthy visit during their respective pregnancies.

But he explains in this passage quite clearly that his whole purpose was to become less so that Jesus could become more.

In John’s Gospel, neither John or his ministry had any importance whatsoever.

Then John makes two purposeful comments about Jesus.

First, he sees Jesus coming toward him and says: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.”

The reference is not 100 percent clear, but appears to be referring to the Jewish lamb of sacrifice.

Certainly, these words stuck.

At every Mass they are the last words spoken before we receive Christ in the Eucharist.

Jesus is more than the Jewish sacrificial lamb, and clearly his death frees us from sin.

The second comment, though, has deep importance not only for Jesus, but also for us.

John makes three references to Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

First, he notes that he saw “the Holy Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and remain upon him.”

Then he declared, as a result, “he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.”

Given that John says so little here, it is quite remarkable how much he says about Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

It is clear from this passage that at least John, and probably the early church, understood that Jesus could not do “his ministry” if it were not filled, and if he were not filled with the Holy Spirit.

It was Spirit-inspired and Spirit-driven.

We do not see the Holy Spirit “out there” functioning apart from Jesus; nor do we see Jesus “out there” beginning his ministry without the Spirit of God being poured over and into him.

The direct result is that through Jesus, the Holy Spirit would be poured over and poured into everyone who would follow him and share the proclamation of his message.

What an affirmation of Jesus! What a powerful understanding of the Spirit of God.

What a wonderful description and understanding of what happens to us in Baptism!

The Spirit of God enters us, fills us, strengthens us, guides us, blesses us, sanctifies us, teaches us, enlivens us — and because of us, others, too, have “seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”

Quote of the week: “You wish to see; listen. Hearing is a stop towards vision.” — St. Bernard of Clairvaux.

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Father Perry D. Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.