The Solemnity of Baptism of Our Lord: Collect Series.

SOLEMNITY OF THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD.

Baptism of Our Lord ( Leonardo da Vinci).

SOLEMNITY OF THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD. 

The Collect for the Solemnity of the Baptism of Our Lord reads as follows:

Almighty ever-living God, who, when Christ had been baptised in the River Jordan

and as the Holy Spirit descended upon him, 

solemnly declared him your beloved Son, 

grant that your children by adoption, reborn of water and the Holy Spirit, 

may always be well pleasing to you.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, 

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 

one God, for ever and ever.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible for during the week, the following reflections questions emerged:

1.    What does this Solemnity mean to you personally?

2.    What does it mean to me to be a child of God?

3.    What does it mean to me to be reborn of water and the Holy Spirit?

4.    What does my own Baptism mean to me, in the past, and now in 2019?

5.    What can I do this week to honour my own Baptism?

6.    What difference is being a Child of God make to me this coming week?

7.    In what area/s of my life do I need to practise humility?

Today we celebrate the Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Jordan. This is the second epiphany, or manifestation, of the Lord. The past, the present, and the future are made manifest in this epiphany. We had the first one last in the Solemnity of the Epiphany.  If you wish to read more about that in my post click here.

Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, who is the most Holy One placed Himself among us, the unclean and sinners. The Son of God freely humbled Himself at the hand of the Baptist. By His baptism in the Jordan, Christ manifests His humility and dedicates Himself to the redemption of mankind. He takes upon Himself the sins of the whole world and buries them in the waters of the Jordan. — The Light of the World by Benedict Baur, O.S.B.

At Christmas we have contemplated the human birth of the Word incarnate by the Virgin Mary. In the 4th century, the Fathers of the Church deepened the understanding of the faith with regard to the Christmas mystery in the light of Jesus’ Humanity. The spoke of: Jesus is the Christ from the first instant of conception in Mary’s spotless womb because He Himself, with His Divine Power, consecrated, anointed and ‘Christified’ that human nature with which He became incarnate.

In the mystery of the Epiphany, we meditated upon Christ’s manifestation to all nations that was represented by the Magi, the wise men from the East, who came to adore the Child.

Now, in the mystery of Christ’s Baptism in the Jordan River, we again encounter and represent the truth of the Lord’s incarnation and His manifestation as the Christ. Jesus’ Baptism is in fact His definitive manifestation as the Messiah or Christ to Israel, and as the Son of the Father to the entire world.

Here we find the dimension of the Epiphany which was His manifestation to all nations. The Father’s voice from heaven shows that Jesus of Nazareth is the eternal Son and the descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove shows the Trinitarian nature of the Christian God. The true and unique God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, shows Himself in Christ, through Him, with Him and in Him.

The Baptism in the Jordan returns to the great Christmas theme of ‘Christification,’ Jesus of Nazareth's spiritual anointing, His presentation as the Anointed One par excellence, the Messiah or the One sent by the Father for the salvation of mankind. The Spirit that descended on Jesus shows and seals in an incontrovertible way the ‘Christification’ of Jesus’ humanity that the Word had already fulfilled from the first moment of His miraculous conception by Mary. Jesus, from the very beginning, was always the Lord’s Christ, He was always God. Yet, His one, true humanity, that which is perfect in every way, as the Gospel records, constantly grew in natural and supernatural perfection. ‘And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favour with God and with men’ (Lk 2:52).

In Israel at 30 years of age, one reached full maturity and therefore could become a master. Jesus came of age and the Spirit, descending and remaining on Him, definitively consecrated His whole being as the Christ.

The same Spirit, that descended on the water of the River Jordan wafted over the waters during the first creation (Gen 1:2). Therefore, the Baptism in the Jordan presents yet another truth: that Jesus has started a new creation. He is the second man (1 Cor 15:47) or the last Adam (1 Cor 15:45), that comes to repair the first Adam’s guilt. He does this as the Lamb of God that takes away our sins.

As Pope Benedict wrote ‘Looking at the events in light of the Cross and Resurrection, the Christian people realised what happened: Jesus loaded the burden of all mankind’s guilt upon His shoulders; he bore it down into the depths of the Jordan. He inaugurated his public activity by stepping into the place of sinners’ (Joseph Ratzinger, Jesus of Nazareth, Bloomsbury 2007, p 18).

Now we may be saying to ourselves’’ this Solemnity is all very nice but how is it relevant to me for my life. I have work to do, debts to pay, no time to meditate. I feel like I am on the hamster wheel of life.

HOW IS THIS SOLEMNITY RELEVANT TO US?

This Solemnity is relevant for us in the following ways. We may be able to incorporate these suggestions or come up with our own during the week.

1.We are Child of the Most High God.  Claim it again this week and say thank you to God. A simple prayer such as:

·         ’’ Thank you, God, for making me Your child. Or

·         As a child of God, let my behaviour today/ this week give You honour and praise or

·          I thank you God for my parents (godparents) who ensured I was baptised.
 Thank you for accepting me as a Child of God- Your child.

2. If the opportunity is possible, speak to your parents/ godparents about your Baptism. See what they remember about the day, how they felt. Do not be disappointed if they do not remember- be thankful that they took that step of faith for you and let them know your gratitude.  If there are any photos or memorabilia of the day look at it.

3. Find out when parish Baptisms are held.   Check with your pastor and explain to him that you would like to attend one even though you are not related to the family of the child to be baptised.  You wish to attend to nourish your own faith.  Organise it and attend during this year. I always do this at least once each year. It helps me say thank you to God for being a child of God. My parents and grandparents have now passed away but when I attend a parish baptism, I visualise myself being that baby being baptised again. Of course, sacramentally, we can only be baptised once. A fresh anointing and focus on the benefits of the Sacraments is always useful at the beginning of the year.

4. Read Compendium of theCatechism of the Catholic Church to nurture and nourish your faith this week on Baptism. There are many references to Baptism but Section 2 on the Sacraments is the most relevant section. pg 250-264. It is an easier read than the Catechism of the Catholic Church. (take 2 entries each day and mull over them and what it means for your life in 2019).

5. Reflect through Music:  Use ‘’On Jordan’s Bank The Baptist Cry’’ 

 Or  ‘’ I heard the voice of Jesus say’’  or you may to listen to the Instrumental version 

6. Have a discussion with family and/or parishioners about Baptism and what this Solemnity means to you for your lives? If you do not have a group in our parish, start a group. Pick up the phone and talk with one other parishioner who might be interested. It does not have to be a long meeting. It could be a weekly meeting to discuss the Gospel of the day. As other parishioners join, keep the focus on the Gospel and its relevance to your life this week.

Whether you choose to acknowledge that you are a child  of God and think about this Solemnity for your life is obviously up to you. The Church offers us these Solemnities for us to be nourished and nurtured in our faith. Let us use the opportunities given us wisely.

May you receive many blessings this coming week.