LOVE NEVER FAILS
4th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME-C
Taj Mahal is a major center of attraction to any tourist who visits India. The wonder of Taj Mahal lies not only in its immeasurable beauty but also in the unfathomable love behind its construction. Emperor Shah Jahan’s heart was broken at the death of his beloved wife Muntaz Mahal. His love towards her was so deep that he wanted to immortalize his love for her. He took 22 years and used 20,000 people to complete this epitome of love. Later, even after he was ousted and imprisoned, he celebrated his love for her, looking at Taj Mahal- the symbol of his love for her, through the prison windows. Such was the power of his love. Taj Mahal announces to the world the unfailing nature of love. Love never fails. “Deep waters cannot quench love, nor floods sweep it away” (Song of Solomon 8/7) St. Paul, today, talks about this eternal nature of the spirit of love.
LOVE FAILIURE!
There is an inner urge in every human person to love and to be loved. Everyone talks about the beauty and fruit of love. In spite of all this talk and excitement about love, everyone finds it difficult to stay in love. Where is the problem?
1. The problem lies in the fact that many of us are confused with the concepts of loving and liking. They are two different realities. Liking is the function of instincts of which we haven’t much control. It is an instinctual behavior. Anything that flows from an instinct is not premeditative. A human Instinct responds to whatever appeals to the senses. It can be the look of a person, the color of an object, the way she/he dresses, a certain manner of behavior, a particular quality of a person and so forth. We subconsciously fall in love with whatever is appealing to the senses. Very often we fall in love with people because of certain fascinations that have a quick impression on the senses. This sort of love ceases to exist as soon as these qualities disappear. Love based on liking alone is doomed to fail because the external appearances are transient.
On the other hand, love is a decision. It is an act of the will (Thomas Aquinas). Therefore even though we may not like someone, still we can choose to love him/her. In genuine love, likeability is only one aspect of many. Likeability definitely makes love easy; likeability makes a person more lovable. Even though, we may disagree with someone or do not like certain behavioral patterns of a person, still we can make a decision to love him/her. The decision to love someone helps us to look for the likeability in that person. That in turn changes our attitude towards him/her.
2. It is also important to know the difference between Eros love and agape love. Eros lies in the realm of sensuality and Agape on the other hand belong to the divine milieu. In the former case, we love a person because of the goodness in him/her. We love him/her as long as he/she serves my purposes. How often we hear people saying how the other disappointed them! Relationship based on Eros is destined to fail.
On the other hand, in agape love, our love is a reflection of the goodness within us. This love enriches the other rather than the lover. It enriches the receiver rather than the giver. This is the nature of God’s love. God’s love to the world does not add anything more to His Being. In agape, we love a person, not for what he is but for what he could be. Every person is created in the image and likeness of God. Every person is a potential saint. Every sinner has a future as every saint had a past. Our love is not based on his/her past but on his/her future possibilities.
NO LOVE, NO CHRISTIANITY
If there is no love, there is no Christianity. If we don’t abide in love, we don’t know anything about God because God is love. Love is not a quality of God. God is love. Jesus himself underscored this view when he said: ’By your love you will reveal that you are my disciples’ For example, the second reading (1John 4:7-10) starts with this advice: “Beloved, let us love one another, because God is love; everyone who loves is begotten by God”. Jesus repeats the same message in the Gospel: “As the Father loves me, so also I love you. Remain in my love” (John 15:9-17). Therefore, Christian vocation, as St. Therese of Lisieux put it rightly, is a call to love.
CRITERIA OF CHRISTIAN LOVE!
How do we know that we really love someone? What are the parameters of love? Christian love has three characteristics:
1. It is other oriented. The moment you start to think about others and their growth, you have begun to live Christian Love. If your life and activities do not bring happiness and growth to others, yours is not Christian love.
2. Christian Love is action oriented. Love is not an abstract thing. It should take on a concrete form. For example, we make available our time, talents, and treasures to the person we love. In genuine love there is always an exchange of words, an exchange of persons and an exchange of gifts. God so loved us by sending His own Son. Jesus loved us by giving His own Body and Blood. We must show our love through concrete actions.
3. Christian Love is expensive. There is no genuine love without a price or sacrifice. For example, to forgive someone who offended us or to defend somebody whom we don’t like…is really a sacrificial act. The amount of sacrifice that goes along with our concrete actions measures the real depth of our Christian Love!!
“The Crucifix is our Taj Mahal. It is our supreme parameter for love. Whenever you waver, look at Calvary. You will return home with hope and confidence.”
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
PEOPLE OF THE GOSPELS
THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Last Sunday while I was having a discussion with the participants of the RCIA program, one person asked: “What is the importance of the Bible in our Spiritual living?” It was a great question. You may have numerous answers. However, Psalms 119:105 offers the best answer: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path”. The responsorial psalms for this Sunday Liturgy repeat the same: “Your words, Lord, are Spirit and Life.”
JESUS AND THE SCRIPTURE
The gospel talks about how Jesus was in the Synagogue, read the Scripture and discovered his mission in the Book of Isaiah. After reading the passage beginning with “the Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor…” (Lk 4:16ff), Jesus said “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled.” Scripture helped Jesus to identify His mission. A number of times in His public life Jesus turned to the Scripture for direction. For example, when He was tested in the desert, Jesus cited the scripture to defeat the devil’s plan for Him (Mt 4:3-11). If the Scripture was that vital in His life, how much more significant it should be in our lives!
JESUS, THE SCRIPTURE
Words reveal what is in one’s heart. The Word of God reveals God’s heart. In Jesus, the Word of God became Flesh. Jesus became the heart of God; the message of God. At the age of 12, Jesus said: “I must be about my Father’s business”. In the desert Jesus said: “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God”. On another occasion Jesus said to his disciples: “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work” (Jn 4:34). At Gethsemane Jesus said: “Not my will but yours be done” (Lk 22:42). And finally, on the cross He said: “Father into your hands, I commend my spirit”. (Lk23:46). Jesus started his life taking the job of doing His Father’s business and He faithfully completed it on the cross. Jesus, not only turned to the Scripture for guidance but also became Scripture, the Word of God itself. Hence Jesus said: Whoever has seen me has seen the Father; The Father and I are one” (Jn10/30, 14/9).
THE IMPORTANCE OF SCRIPTURE IN MY LIFE!
Since the Word of God is incarnated in Jesus, He became the True Way to Life. The Gospels sum up His life in words. The Word of God leads us to life in the following ways.
1. Word of God: The Lighthouse! The role of a light house for someone lost in the sea during night is beyond description. The Bible does the same to a lost soul. It removes the darkness. The first word uttered by God was: Let there be light. So Peter asked: Lord where shall we go? You have the words of eternal life! (Jn 6:66, 20:31). The Bible has the answer to all your problems.
2. Word of God: The Sounding Board! Scripture serves as a reference point for our thinking and acting (2Timothy 3:16). Scripture helps us to evaluate our present life style. For example, the Ten Commandments give us the right mind set we need towards God and others.
3. Word of God: The Divine Medicine! Jeremiah said, “When I found your words, I devoured them; they became my joy and happiness of my heart” (Jeremiah15:16).
4. Word of God: The Guaranteed Hope! Though the grass withers and the flower wilts, the Word of our God stands forever (Is 40:8) The word of God is living and effective, sharper than any double edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart Hebrew 4:12) For just as from the heaven rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seeds to him who sows and bread to him who eats so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth. It shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it (Is 55:10).
PEOPLE OF THE SCRIPTURE
The Word of God transformed the life of many. Paul discovered his mission when he was confronted with the Words of Jesus (Acts 9:3ff). Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Francis of Assisi, Francis De Sales, Vincent De Paul, Mother Theresa, Gandhi and many others talk volume about the life transforming influence of the Word of God in their lives. They became the
Gospel! For instance, Paul said: Imitate me as I imitate Jesus. Living the gospels is a process of listening, meditating, assimilating and delivering. This is what Mary did. She listened to the Word of God, pondered over it, made it part of her being and delivered it to the world in the form of Jesus. How do I approach the Word of God?
THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Last Sunday while I was having a discussion with the participants of the RCIA program, one person asked: “What is the importance of the Bible in our Spiritual living?” It was a great question. You may have numerous answers. However, Psalms 119:105 offers the best answer: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path”. The responsorial psalms for this Sunday Liturgy repeat the same: “Your words, Lord, are Spirit and Life.”
JESUS AND THE SCRIPTURE
The gospel talks about how Jesus was in the Synagogue, read the Scripture and discovered his mission in the Book of Isaiah. After reading the passage beginning with “the Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor…” (Lk 4:16ff), Jesus said “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled.” Scripture helped Jesus to identify His mission. A number of times in His public life Jesus turned to the Scripture for direction. For example, when He was tested in the desert, Jesus cited the scripture to defeat the devil’s plan for Him (Mt 4:3-11). If the Scripture was that vital in His life, how much more significant it should be in our lives!
JESUS, THE SCRIPTURE
Words reveal what is in one’s heart. The Word of God reveals God’s heart. In Jesus, the Word of God became Flesh. Jesus became the heart of God; the message of God. At the age of 12, Jesus said: “I must be about my Father’s business”. In the desert Jesus said: “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God”. On another occasion Jesus said to his disciples: “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work” (Jn 4:34). At Gethsemane Jesus said: “Not my will but yours be done” (Lk 22:42). And finally, on the cross He said: “Father into your hands, I commend my spirit”. (Lk23:46). Jesus started his life taking the job of doing His Father’s business and He faithfully completed it on the cross. Jesus, not only turned to the Scripture for guidance but also became Scripture, the Word of God itself. Hence Jesus said: Whoever has seen me has seen the Father; The Father and I are one” (Jn10/30, 14/9).
THE IMPORTANCE OF SCRIPTURE IN MY LIFE!
Since the Word of God is incarnated in Jesus, He became the True Way to Life. The Gospels sum up His life in words. The Word of God leads us to life in the following ways.
1. Word of God: The Lighthouse! The role of a light house for someone lost in the sea during night is beyond description. The Bible does the same to a lost soul. It removes the darkness. The first word uttered by God was: Let there be light. So Peter asked: Lord where shall we go? You have the words of eternal life! (Jn 6:66, 20:31). The Bible has the answer to all your problems.
2. Word of God: The Sounding Board! Scripture serves as a reference point for our thinking and acting (2Timothy 3:16). Scripture helps us to evaluate our present life style. For example, the Ten Commandments give us the right mind set we need towards God and others.
3. Word of God: The Divine Medicine! Jeremiah said, “When I found your words, I devoured them; they became my joy and happiness of my heart” (Jeremiah15:16).
4. Word of God: The Guaranteed Hope! Though the grass withers and the flower wilts, the Word of our God stands forever (Is 40:8) The word of God is living and effective, sharper than any double edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart Hebrew 4:12) For just as from the heaven rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seeds to him who sows and bread to him who eats so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth. It shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it (Is 55:10).
PEOPLE OF THE SCRIPTURE
The Word of God transformed the life of many. Paul discovered his mission when he was confronted with the Words of Jesus (Acts 9:3ff). Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Francis of Assisi, Francis De Sales, Vincent De Paul, Mother Theresa, Gandhi and many others talk volume about the life transforming influence of the Word of God in their lives. They became the
Gospel! For instance, Paul said: Imitate me as I imitate Jesus. Living the gospels is a process of listening, meditating, assimilating and delivering. This is what Mary did. She listened to the Word of God, pondered over it, made it part of her being and delivered it to the world in the form of Jesus. How do I approach the Word of God?
Thursday, January 14, 2010
THE EPIPHANY OF MARY
SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Two weeks ago we celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany of Jesus. The Scripture, however, recorded three Epiphanies; one in Bethlehem at the visit of the Magi, second at the time of His Baptism and the third at the Wedding Feast of Cana. In Bethlehem, the Magi discovered the identity of Jesus and revealed it to the world. On the day of His Baptism, the Father and the Holy Spirit together revealed Jesus’ identity to the world. At the Wedding Feast of Cana, Mary, his own mother took the initiative to reveal the identity of Jesus. Our Gospel reading, today, focuses on this particular aspect. Even though the focus is on the fist miracle of Jesus, this story also reveals the significance of Mary in the plan of salvation. From that perspective, the wedding feast of Cana also marks the Epiphany of Mary. This story reveals at least three aspects of Mary’s personality.
MARY, THE GREAT MENTOR
Mentoring is important in any area of life. Consider any game or a sport. Behind any winning team, there always is a great Coach. People who reached the height of holiness had mentors or spiritual directors. The mentor behind the formation of Jesus was none other than his mother. No one knows a son better than his mother. The greatness of Mary was that she accompanied Jesus at every step of his growth and prepared him for his mission. At the age of twelve Jesus was lost in the temple. When Mary confronted Jesus, He said: “Why did you search for me? Don’t you know that I must be about my Father’s business?” According to the Jewish custom, a boy becomes legally an adult at the age of 12. Naturally, nobody could blame a boy if he makes an independent decision. Legal adulthood does not necessarily mean maturity. Mary convinced him of the importance of waiting for God’s time, and led him home. The Bible says Jesus grew in wisdom under the guidance of His parents. At Cana, Jesus was not sure about the timing of his mission. He said, “My time has not yet come.” Mary intervened again and helped him to see the signs of the time. She said to the servant, “Do whatever Jesus tells you”. Mary, thus, accompanied Jesus as a mentor and slowly prepared him for the mission for which he was sent by His Father. Jesus recognized the role His mother in His formation. So at Calvary, He entrusted the Church to her guidance. She faithfully accepted that responsibility and prepared the disciples for the day of Pentecost.
Do you have a mentor in your life? The help of a spiritual director is useful for discernment. Remember the story of Samuel. God called him three times. He did not recognize it. He thought that it was Eli. Finally, Eli helped him to recognize God’s voice. St. Paul says: To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. We all have gifts and talents. As Mary helped Jesus to manifest his gift, we need mentors to discern, discover and identify our gifts, talents and calling.
MARY, THE GREAT BENEVOLENT
Things may not always happen as planned. Our calculations can go wrong. Unpredictability of the situation and miscalculation on our part can at times put us in a humiliating situation. How do we respond if we see such a situation happening to some of our friends or neighbors? Here Mary stands as a great model. The host of the wedding feast at Cana was running out of wine. It was a sign of disgrace. It could have brought shame on the whole family. Mary helped to solve the crisis in a professional manner. She did not make breaking-news out of it. She did not bring it to the attention of anyone who could do nothing to save the situation. She approached the right person and solved the crisis without incurring damage to anyone’s reputation. She did everything quietly, and remained behind the scene. What a great model of service!
MARY, THE GREAT INTERCESSOR
“Pray to the Mother of God. She will get your petition to Jesus. Jesus never denies her request,” my mother used to tell me when I was a child. It is a true statement. A couple of times Jesus turned down the requests of His disciples, including Peter. Jesus, however, never rejected the request of his Mother. Even though Jesus thought that it was not the appropriate time for Him to start his public mission, He yielded to his Mom’s request. He performed the first miracle at his mother’s request. Approach Mary, she will intercede for us before her Son, Jesus.
“Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of hour death.”
SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Two weeks ago we celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany of Jesus. The Scripture, however, recorded three Epiphanies; one in Bethlehem at the visit of the Magi, second at the time of His Baptism and the third at the Wedding Feast of Cana. In Bethlehem, the Magi discovered the identity of Jesus and revealed it to the world. On the day of His Baptism, the Father and the Holy Spirit together revealed Jesus’ identity to the world. At the Wedding Feast of Cana, Mary, his own mother took the initiative to reveal the identity of Jesus. Our Gospel reading, today, focuses on this particular aspect. Even though the focus is on the fist miracle of Jesus, this story also reveals the significance of Mary in the plan of salvation. From that perspective, the wedding feast of Cana also marks the Epiphany of Mary. This story reveals at least three aspects of Mary’s personality.
MARY, THE GREAT MENTOR
Mentoring is important in any area of life. Consider any game or a sport. Behind any winning team, there always is a great Coach. People who reached the height of holiness had mentors or spiritual directors. The mentor behind the formation of Jesus was none other than his mother. No one knows a son better than his mother. The greatness of Mary was that she accompanied Jesus at every step of his growth and prepared him for his mission. At the age of twelve Jesus was lost in the temple. When Mary confronted Jesus, He said: “Why did you search for me? Don’t you know that I must be about my Father’s business?” According to the Jewish custom, a boy becomes legally an adult at the age of 12. Naturally, nobody could blame a boy if he makes an independent decision. Legal adulthood does not necessarily mean maturity. Mary convinced him of the importance of waiting for God’s time, and led him home. The Bible says Jesus grew in wisdom under the guidance of His parents. At Cana, Jesus was not sure about the timing of his mission. He said, “My time has not yet come.” Mary intervened again and helped him to see the signs of the time. She said to the servant, “Do whatever Jesus tells you”. Mary, thus, accompanied Jesus as a mentor and slowly prepared him for the mission for which he was sent by His Father. Jesus recognized the role His mother in His formation. So at Calvary, He entrusted the Church to her guidance. She faithfully accepted that responsibility and prepared the disciples for the day of Pentecost.
Do you have a mentor in your life? The help of a spiritual director is useful for discernment. Remember the story of Samuel. God called him three times. He did not recognize it. He thought that it was Eli. Finally, Eli helped him to recognize God’s voice. St. Paul says: To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. We all have gifts and talents. As Mary helped Jesus to manifest his gift, we need mentors to discern, discover and identify our gifts, talents and calling.
MARY, THE GREAT BENEVOLENT
Things may not always happen as planned. Our calculations can go wrong. Unpredictability of the situation and miscalculation on our part can at times put us in a humiliating situation. How do we respond if we see such a situation happening to some of our friends or neighbors? Here Mary stands as a great model. The host of the wedding feast at Cana was running out of wine. It was a sign of disgrace. It could have brought shame on the whole family. Mary helped to solve the crisis in a professional manner. She did not make breaking-news out of it. She did not bring it to the attention of anyone who could do nothing to save the situation. She approached the right person and solved the crisis without incurring damage to anyone’s reputation. She did everything quietly, and remained behind the scene. What a great model of service!
MARY, THE GREAT INTERCESSOR
“Pray to the Mother of God. She will get your petition to Jesus. Jesus never denies her request,” my mother used to tell me when I was a child. It is a true statement. A couple of times Jesus turned down the requests of His disciples, including Peter. Jesus, however, never rejected the request of his Mother. Even though Jesus thought that it was not the appropriate time for Him to start his public mission, He yielded to his Mom’s request. He performed the first miracle at his mother’s request. Approach Mary, she will intercede for us before her Son, Jesus.
“Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of hour death.”
Thursday, January 7, 2010
BAPTISM OF JESUS
Today we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus. With this Feast we conclude the season of Christmas and begin the Ordinary time.
BAPTISM: THE GREAT EPIPHANY
Even though we celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany last Sunday, Epiphany in its fullest sense took place at the baptism of Jesus. This was the only incident recorded in the Bible where all three Persons in the Trinity appeared together. Jesus was formally introduced to the world on that day too. Through the three extraordinary events that had taken place at his baptism (the Heavens were opened, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a Dove and God the Father gave a public witness saying: This is my beloved Son’.) God revealed to the world the identity and mission of Jesus once and for all. For a deeper understanding of the implications of Jesus’ Baptism, it is important to know the meaning of these three extraordinary happenings.
The Heavens were opened. Yahweh was the King of Israel until they arrived in the Promised Land. However after the Exodus Event the leaders of Israel came to the conclusion that only through the presence of a human King could enemies be prevented from taking over their nation. They approached the Prophet Samuel with this proposal. Yahweh however, dismissed their idea and said: “I am your King. You don’t need a human king.” People remained stubborn and insistent. Finally Yahweh yielded to their request and anointed Saul as the first king of Israel. Under the reign of Saul and then David, Israel became a united Monarchy and a powerful nation. However, the golden era did not last long. Power struggles among the children of David and their successors led to the division of the country into two nations: Israel and Judah. The kings of both nations proved to be disastrous by their immoral and reckless behavior. The two nations became weaker and weaker. Babylonians and Sumerians took advantage of the situation and defeated them in the battle. The people of Israel and Judah became slaves once again. Frustrated by the manipulative and exploitative behavior of their Kings, the people of Israel started to pray: “Lord, take away all these human kings… Lord, open the heavens, come down and be our king.” On the day of Jesus’ Baptism, God answered their prayers and opened the heavens for them. Jesus is our heavenly King.
The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a Dove. What is the significance of the dove in this whole event? The Dove was the national symbol of Israel. By using the Dove as His vehicle, the Holy Spirit was symbolically anointing Jesus as the New Israel. The Dove also symbolizes New Life (Rf: Noah and Flood). Jesus is the new Israel and in him we have life.
Supreme Witness: Finally, God the Father Himself gave testimony to Jesus. “This is my beloved Son.” At the transfiguration of Jesus, God went a step further and declared: “This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him.” There is no other place in the Bible where God declares someone as his beloved son or daughter. Thus Baptism became the great Epiphany of Jesus.
BAPTISM: THE GREAT COMMISSIONING
On the day of His Baptism, God the Father anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and entrusted him with a mission. Jesus started His mission by expressing his solidarity with the people who were looking for a change. People were not happy in the way the world was functioning. They wanted a change. They realized that the world was not going to change, unless they changed. They came to John for baptism to start a new beginning. By coming to John, Jesus joined the people for their desire for change.
Jesus not only joined the movement but gave the movement a new direction. Jesus offered the real change: the Kingdom of God. Jesus offered a new way: Conquer your enemy with love. Stop striking back.
THE CHALLENGES OF MY BAPTISM: CALL TO NEW LIFE
When a person receives the sacrament of Baptism three things happen.
A NEW IMAGE
Baptism restores our lost image. God opens heaven for us and makes us His beloved sons/daughters. We become children of God. The white baptismal garment we receive at baptism symbolizes this reality.
A NEW IDENTITY
Baptism incorporates us into the Body of Christ (Church). We become a corporate identity. Communion with one another becomes the mode of our existence. The Eucharistic Liturgy celebrates this communion. So a person who is not in communion with his/her brothers and sisters are not eligible for receiving Holy Communion.
A NEW MISSION
Through baptism we participate in the kingly, royal and priestly mission of Jesus. As Jesus began his mission with the reception of baptism, we too join his movement with the reception of our own baptism. The lighted candle we receive at the time of our baptism symbolizes this new mission.
In Jesus we are a new creation. We are a chosen race, we are a holy priesthood. We are here to make a difference. Let us do it by renewing our baptismal commitment today.
============================================
Today we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus. With this Feast we conclude the season of Christmas and begin the Ordinary time.
BAPTISM: THE GREAT EPIPHANY
Even though we celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany last Sunday, Epiphany in its fullest sense took place at the baptism of Jesus. This was the only incident recorded in the Bible where all three Persons in the Trinity appeared together. Jesus was formally introduced to the world on that day too. Through the three extraordinary events that had taken place at his baptism (the Heavens were opened, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a Dove and God the Father gave a public witness saying: This is my beloved Son’.) God revealed to the world the identity and mission of Jesus once and for all. For a deeper understanding of the implications of Jesus’ Baptism, it is important to know the meaning of these three extraordinary happenings.
The Heavens were opened. Yahweh was the King of Israel until they arrived in the Promised Land. However after the Exodus Event the leaders of Israel came to the conclusion that only through the presence of a human King could enemies be prevented from taking over their nation. They approached the Prophet Samuel with this proposal. Yahweh however, dismissed their idea and said: “I am your King. You don’t need a human king.” People remained stubborn and insistent. Finally Yahweh yielded to their request and anointed Saul as the first king of Israel. Under the reign of Saul and then David, Israel became a united Monarchy and a powerful nation. However, the golden era did not last long. Power struggles among the children of David and their successors led to the division of the country into two nations: Israel and Judah. The kings of both nations proved to be disastrous by their immoral and reckless behavior. The two nations became weaker and weaker. Babylonians and Sumerians took advantage of the situation and defeated them in the battle. The people of Israel and Judah became slaves once again. Frustrated by the manipulative and exploitative behavior of their Kings, the people of Israel started to pray: “Lord, take away all these human kings… Lord, open the heavens, come down and be our king.” On the day of Jesus’ Baptism, God answered their prayers and opened the heavens for them. Jesus is our heavenly King.
The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a Dove. What is the significance of the dove in this whole event? The Dove was the national symbol of Israel. By using the Dove as His vehicle, the Holy Spirit was symbolically anointing Jesus as the New Israel. The Dove also symbolizes New Life (Rf: Noah and Flood). Jesus is the new Israel and in him we have life.
Supreme Witness: Finally, God the Father Himself gave testimony to Jesus. “This is my beloved Son.” At the transfiguration of Jesus, God went a step further and declared: “This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him.” There is no other place in the Bible where God declares someone as his beloved son or daughter. Thus Baptism became the great Epiphany of Jesus.
BAPTISM: THE GREAT COMMISSIONING
On the day of His Baptism, God the Father anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and entrusted him with a mission. Jesus started His mission by expressing his solidarity with the people who were looking for a change. People were not happy in the way the world was functioning. They wanted a change. They realized that the world was not going to change, unless they changed. They came to John for baptism to start a new beginning. By coming to John, Jesus joined the people for their desire for change.
Jesus not only joined the movement but gave the movement a new direction. Jesus offered the real change: the Kingdom of God. Jesus offered a new way: Conquer your enemy with love. Stop striking back.
THE CHALLENGES OF MY BAPTISM: CALL TO NEW LIFE
When a person receives the sacrament of Baptism three things happen.
A NEW IMAGE
Baptism restores our lost image. God opens heaven for us and makes us His beloved sons/daughters. We become children of God. The white baptismal garment we receive at baptism symbolizes this reality.
A NEW IDENTITY
Baptism incorporates us into the Body of Christ (Church). We become a corporate identity. Communion with one another becomes the mode of our existence. The Eucharistic Liturgy celebrates this communion. So a person who is not in communion with his/her brothers and sisters are not eligible for receiving Holy Communion.
A NEW MISSION
Through baptism we participate in the kingly, royal and priestly mission of Jesus. As Jesus began his mission with the reception of baptism, we too join his movement with the reception of our own baptism. The lighted candle we receive at the time of our baptism symbolizes this new mission.
In Jesus we are a new creation. We are a chosen race, we are a holy priesthood. We are here to make a difference. Let us do it by renewing our baptismal commitment today.
============================================
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)