Readings for January 11 Following Epiphany[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 1 John 5:5-13
St. John’s first letter fully prepares us for the Baptism of the Lord which approaches. His reference to “Water” is a reference to the Lord’s Baptism. The “Spirit” is a reference to the Holy Spirit descending upon the Lord as he came out of his baptismal bath. Finally he refers to Blood which is a symbol of the Cross. In that event also was God’s own testimony about the identity of his Only Son (Matthew 3:16-17). His logic in this passage teaches that if one does not believe in Jesus as the Son of God, they call God a liar because he testified to the identity of His Son.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.or:R. Alleluia.
Psalm 147 is a hymn of praise. This selection is the third of three calls to praise within the psalm. In these strophes we see the call to praise Jerusalem, the Holy city because in it was revealed the Word of God and a call to holiness.
Gospel Luke 5:12-16
In this account of Jesus curing the leper, we see two remarkable details. First, it was the Hebrew law that those designated as “unclean” could not approach anyone closer than about ten feet. This leper was clearly much closer. He was close enough to Jesus who “stretched out his hand, touched him”. Not just with a word was this leper made clean. The Lord touched him which by Hebrew law as taboo. In one action the Lord demonstrates his power over the disease and his authority over the law. The crowds throng him once again because of his holiness and once more, he withdraws to speak with the Father (“…but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.”)
Reflection:
As is typical of this period between Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord, we once more find St. John’s first letter proclaiming faith in Christ and the Gospel story proving his words with signs and wonders. Today St. John points to the very event we anticipate, the Baptism of Jesus. He also provides a great foundation for a deeper understanding of that sacramental event as we experience it.
St. John speaks of the “…one who came through water and Blood, Jesus Christ”. His reference here reminds us of the words from the rite of Baptism. As the water is blessed the celebrant concludes’ “May all those who are buried with Christ in the death of Baptism rise also with him to new life.” As the Lord walked into the waters of the Jordan River, understanding that he must symbolically change his direction from one of simple obedience and love of the Father to one of revelation of the God who sent him and within whom he resided, he hurled himself at the Cross, the victory of his own blood. While the Lord embraced that death, we also pass through a death, a death to sin and a new beginning.
At his Baptism, the Lord received the testimony of God. The Holy Spirit descended and God himself proclaimed; “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." (Mt 3:17). That testimony demands belief in Christ as the Only Begotten Son of God. From the time of the first Annunciation to Mary, through the angelically heralded birth in Bethlehem, cemented with the gifts from the Magi, this event is now concluded with God’s own words. Revelation of Christ’s identity as the Messiah is absolutely stated.
As we hear St. John’s words we are reminded once more of our own call to holiness. In baptism promises were made. In baptism we were consecrated, made holy, set aside for God’s purpose. Now we are called once more to profess that faith and that mission. To do less, as St. John says, would make us liars. Today our prayer is that we can appear to others as one set aside for God. We pray for the strength to reflect that gift from God to the world.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “Baptism of Christ” by Pieter de Grebber, 1625
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 1 John 5:5-13
St. John’s first letter fully prepares us for the Baptism of the Lord which approaches. His reference to “Water” is a reference to the Lord’s Baptism. The “Spirit” is a reference to the Holy Spirit descending upon the Lord as he came out of his baptismal bath. Finally he refers to Blood which is a symbol of the Cross. In that event also was God’s own testimony about the identity of his Only Son (Matthew 3:16-17). His logic in this passage teaches that if one does not believe in Jesus as the Son of God, they call God a liar because he testified to the identity of His Son.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.or:R. Alleluia.
Psalm 147 is a hymn of praise. This selection is the third of three calls to praise within the psalm. In these strophes we see the call to praise Jerusalem, the Holy city because in it was revealed the Word of God and a call to holiness.
Gospel Luke 5:12-16
In this account of Jesus curing the leper, we see two remarkable details. First, it was the Hebrew law that those designated as “unclean” could not approach anyone closer than about ten feet. This leper was clearly much closer. He was close enough to Jesus who “stretched out his hand, touched him”. Not just with a word was this leper made clean. The Lord touched him which by Hebrew law as taboo. In one action the Lord demonstrates his power over the disease and his authority over the law. The crowds throng him once again because of his holiness and once more, he withdraws to speak with the Father (“…but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.”)
Reflection:
As is typical of this period between Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord, we once more find St. John’s first letter proclaiming faith in Christ and the Gospel story proving his words with signs and wonders. Today St. John points to the very event we anticipate, the Baptism of Jesus. He also provides a great foundation for a deeper understanding of that sacramental event as we experience it.
St. John speaks of the “…one who came through water and Blood, Jesus Christ”. His reference here reminds us of the words from the rite of Baptism. As the water is blessed the celebrant concludes’ “May all those who are buried with Christ in the death of Baptism rise also with him to new life.” As the Lord walked into the waters of the Jordan River, understanding that he must symbolically change his direction from one of simple obedience and love of the Father to one of revelation of the God who sent him and within whom he resided, he hurled himself at the Cross, the victory of his own blood. While the Lord embraced that death, we also pass through a death, a death to sin and a new beginning.
At his Baptism, the Lord received the testimony of God. The Holy Spirit descended and God himself proclaimed; “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." (Mt 3:17). That testimony demands belief in Christ as the Only Begotten Son of God. From the time of the first Annunciation to Mary, through the angelically heralded birth in Bethlehem, cemented with the gifts from the Magi, this event is now concluded with God’s own words. Revelation of Christ’s identity as the Messiah is absolutely stated.
As we hear St. John’s words we are reminded once more of our own call to holiness. In baptism promises were made. In baptism we were consecrated, made holy, set aside for God’s purpose. Now we are called once more to profess that faith and that mission. To do less, as St. John says, would make us liars. Today our prayer is that we can appear to others as one set aside for God. We pray for the strength to reflect that gift from God to the world.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “Baptism of Christ” by Pieter de Grebber, 1625
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