Baptism is a vocation to the fullness of life

The Christmas season ends on the evening of this feastday.  Ordinary Time (the green season) begins on the following day, Monday. 

First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7

This selection is taken from the second part of the Book of Isaiah, the Book of Consolation.  It may have been written in the spirit of the prophet by his followers in Babylon in the Sixth Century BC.  It is the beginning of the first of four Servant Songs in the Book of Isaiah (Is 49:1-7; 50:4-11; 52:13 - 53:12).  Several candidates have been supported as the servant, since he is not identified in the text.  Some commentators have argued for one of the Old Testament figures or even the corporate identity of Israel.  The return from Exile in Babylon is discussed as a new exodus, and the title, Servant of the Lord, was especially ascribed to Moses.  Early Christian teachers applied these prophecies to Jesus Christ, especially the final suffering Servant Song. 

A servant has a master from whom he gets direction and is to follow his commands.  There is also an implied obligation on the part of the master.  The master is to provide for the needs of the servant and protect him from dangerous threats.  The servant in this passage is given an important role “for the victory of justice,” an important concept that runs through the prophetic works.  Justice/righteousness is a way of living in the world by showing responsibility to the needy and providing for them.

The servant is selected for the task by the Lord.  He does not take it on by himself.  The success of the mission will is guaranteed, because the powers to e “a light for the nations” is delegated by the Lord.  The power of God extends beyond the realm of His servant, who may be the nation of Israel.  The people are to be a sign, “a covenant of the people.”  The word, “covenant,” was used throughout the Old Testament in incorporate an individual or a people within the saving work of God in the midst of a world that does not observe obedience to God. 

Second Reading: Acts of the Apostles 10:34-38

This passage begins the mission of the Church to include the Gentiles.  Peter was the most prominent Apostle in the Gospel.  He came to Cornelius, a centurion and a Gentile, because both had dreams, which brought them together.  Peter was invited by Cornelius to come from Joppa to Caesarea Maritima, the Roman administrative center for Palestine and a manmade seaport.  It was about 35 miles north.  Through the message that they received from God in their dreams, they learned that obedience to God, and not ethnic heritage, identified the followers of Jesus. 

These verses begin a speech by Peter, which will end with the Holy Spirit coming upon these Gentiles.  Peter will recognize the same Spirit, which the other followers of Jesus have received.  He will baptize them and begin the mission of inviting the Gentiles to join the fellowship of believers in Christ. 

This is the beginning of the last missionary speech of Peter in the Acts.  It represents the earliest proclamation about Jesus.  Some commentators identify some of this speech as the early kerygma of the Church, as indicated by, “you know the word. . .” 

Gospel: Matthew 3:13-17

The Gospels are very clear to subordinate the role and person of John the Baptist to Jesus.  John defers to Jesus and baptizes Him only when he asks for it.  Jesus’ response to John joins Him to all Christians.  Jesus is obedient and responds to the same criteria as God the Father – righteousness/justice!  This virtue brings about a correct relationship among all people and with God.  The concept of “fulfill” is to make it evident, to complete the act.  It is the same virtue that is identified with the servant in the first reading. 

The Spirit of God appears at this beginning of the public ministry of Jesus.  In the last line of the text, Jesus is empowered from above.  It echoes the text of Isaiah 42:1, the first line of the Old Testament reading today.  Jesus is acknowledged for His obedience to the will of the Father.  The baptism of Jesus precedes and gives a context for His temptation by the devil in the wilderness.  Just like any member of the Church, baptism does not forestall the temptation to continue to follow the path of life to which baptism calls us.  But it strengthens us to make the right decision, when we face that temptation. 

Baptism is a way of life. . .with others.  That communal aspect of baptism comes with a shared commitment and a shared life.  I witnessed the funeral of a law enforcement officer recently.  After the service, when our car pulled out into the roadway, there was a line of motorcycle riders with American flags, the Freedom Riders.  The funeral director explained that they appear at funerals for active police and military.  After that group, there was a long line of Canadian police, including the RCMP in their bright red coats.  The funeral line was six miles long.  As we approached the cemetery, the local fire department raised the long ladders on their trucks, forming an arch.  We drove under a huge American flag that hung between the raised ladders.  Even children along the side of the road carried hand-written placards, expressing their sorrow over the death of this officer, as we passed by.  Almost none of these people could have known him.  Yet, they were there because they felt a bond with him as a civil servant, who gave his life for them. 

When I celebrate a funeral Mass, I think of that same line being present for each person.  If it isn’t on this side of life, then on the other side.  People are welcomed by the community of faith to which they gave their lives as servants.

---

Fr. Richard C. Macey is pastor of Our Lady of the Woods Parish, Woodhaven.