A reflection on the daily readings, for the Baptism of the Lord and final day of the Christmas season, by Father Perry.
By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor
+ The first reading options are plentiful today; there are four options!
In both Isaiah passages today, God is choosing and inviting.
And then God begins to work on and through his chosen ones, including the nation of Israel.
What is most clear is that God is a part — a very big part — of the relationship he has established with his chosen ones.
In the passage from Acts of the Apostles, it is more specific as Peter explains how God has chosen Jesus of Nazareth, and through him and his preaching has proclaimed peace to all; and goodness and healing and blessing went out to all through him.
And John’s passage takes it to its fullness as he tells us that, “whoever is begotten by God conquers the world.”
All of these first reading options are speaking about something that has happened because of God and because of God’s entrance into our world and our space, especially the inner space of our souls.
And both psalm options sing out the effects of God’s working in our lives —
“The Lord will bless his people with peace”;
and, “You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.”
+ Now we are prepared for our Gospel passage in which John himself describes this great moment in time in which he has been called and privileged to — announce to the world, to prepare the world, and then to baptize with water the one who then would baptize with the Holy Spirit.
And the moment was marked with God giving his own seal of approval as he saw the heavens, “being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.”
And if that were not enough, a voice came from the heavens (that had just been torn open); and that voice said —
“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
And so, the messianic times had begun; God would truly begin to restore what had been broken by sin.
Grace upon grace was now being given by this God who is love and who just had to love, and would and always will love.
Because — and we cannot, we just cannot, get tired of saying it, yes? — God is love!
And with this feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we move forward tomorrow going back into Ordinary Time in our celebrations and liturgy, noting that it is nothing short of extraordinary time.
This is what we will proclaim through God’s word.
The question is, how will we experience it? And, what will happen to us and in us because of this word?
The psalms, once again, say we will be blessed and we will draw and drink water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
So, are we thirsty?
Father Perry Dean Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com.
