Catechism Links[1]
CCC 523-524, 535: John prepares the way for the Messiah
CCC 430-435: Jesus the Savior
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| ” Baptism of Christ in the Jordan” by Jacob de Wit, 1716 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Zephaniah 3:14-18a
Commentary on Zep 3:14-18a
The Prophet Zephaniah begins this passage with an exaltation of praise to God. His invitation sounds in the present tense, but then he says: “On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem…” which places the event, the rejoicing over the Lord God being in their midst, in the future. In effect, this is a prediction of events to come. Zephaniah also includes the effects of God’s presence as he continues: “a mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love.”
We hear the expectation of the Messiah: “The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst.” In this case the effects of the Messiah on the people are the focus. The prophet proclaims a renewal of God's loving adoption and the joy felt by the Father at his favorite creation.
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Responsorial Psalm: Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
R. (6) Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel
Commentary on Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
This hymn of praise is a profession of faith: “My strength and my courage is the Lord, and he has been my savior.” It also does something interesting in that it challenges those who profess their faith in the Lord to proclaim it in the world: “…among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name.”
This canticle emphasizes the peace and confidence found in his servant, enjoying the salvation of God. He sings his praise to God and exhorts all of Israel to praise him as they see his constant presence among them in the blessings they receive.
CCC: Is 12:3 2561
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Reading II: Philippians 4:4-7
Commentary on Phil 4:4-7
St. Paul is concluding his address to his beloved Philippian community. The Evangelist uses the famous, “Rejoice in the Lord always.” This exhortation is followed by a short common prayer to the Christian community of the day: “The Lord is near.” This would have evoked Maranā tha (“Come Lord”) in the minds of the community. And then there is a description of what occurs when the faithful experience this closeness: “Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” When we are aware that God in Christ is with us, his peace rests upon us and nothing can harm us.
CCC: Phil 4:3-4 2632, 2636
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Gospel: Luke 3:10-18
Commentary on Lk 3:10-18
St. John the Baptist, in this passage unique to Luke’s Gospel, establishes the universal nature of redemption, speaking first to members of the secular crowd (and their bodyguards). We note he does not try for a highly mystical faith, but rather a pragmatic application of the precepts of that faith (e.g. “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.”). This address would have been made to Tax Collectors (publicans), a group despised by polite Jewish society.
The passage continues with the messianic vision of what will come. St. John calls people to symbolically demonstrate their repentance by the pouring of water (“I am baptizing you with water"). The Messiah (the use of “one mightier [strong]” is frequently used in scripture to designate the leader who will overthrow evil: Mark 3:27, Luke 11:20-22) comes in the common analogy of the threshing floor. The use of this image envisions the end times, when the good will be separated from the evil (wheat from chaff). The use of the image of fire can be seen both as the eternal punishment for the damned and the temporal purification of those destined for eternal life.
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Reflection:
Today, before we consider the joys of this day, let us pray for the souls of those innocent victims of violence in California and France. As the psalmist says “Precious in the eyes of the LORD is the death of his faithful ones.”(Psalm 116:15) We pray today for the souls of those who have departed and for those who grieve at the wrenching loss felt, especially by the parents of the children who now journey to the Lord.
Today’s scripture ironically tells us we should put balloons and streamers in the space we create in our hearts, ironically because the commercial interests have been saying the same thing only in a physical sense. First in Zephaniah, then from Isaiah, and lastly in St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we are told we should be rejoicing in this coming event that will change the world for all time, and the tone is imminent
The very air grows thick with expectation now as we hear (or imagine) John the Baptist’s booming voice calling out (in paraphrase) to us across two thousand years: “I am not the Messiah. If you think I’m holy and wise, wait, there is one coming after me who will astound you.” We rejoice in our expectation. When good things come it’s always that way. Waiting in expectation for the best things is always a great part of the experience.
We think about our younger years. When we were told by our parents we were going to do something very special, perhaps go on a special vacation, or that the family was getting a boat or a camper, do you remember the giddy expectation (my children would say they tickled inside)? Perhaps most appropriately, we remember the night before Christmas, when we, as children, could not get to sleep, knowing that Santa Claus would soon arrive and the presents would be there, under the tree.
What is it we expect now? Is it not a celebration of the Nativity of the Lord, the greatest gift we have ever and will ever receive? Can we put away the panic of the secularization on this holiday and embrace the warmth of that space we create in our hearts and rejoice in it? It is why we take a month to prepare ourselves in the Advent Season, to rekindle the childlike flames of expectation and ready ourselves for the coming of the Prince of Peace.
Pax
In other years on this date: Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr
[1] Catechism links are taken from the Homiletic Directory, Published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 29 June 2014
[3] The picture is ” Baptism of Christ in the Jordan ” by Jacob de Wit, 1716
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