Gospel Commentary: You Have Given Yourself

By Fr. Jack Peterson
Herald Columnist
(From the issue of  1/8/04)

As we commemorate the Baptism of the Lord, our attention is drawn to the central mystery of our faith, the Holy Trinity, and the fact that God, by sending his Son to dwell among us, has chosen to invite us to share in His own life and love.

Jesus and his identity as both Messiah and Lord are made manifest to the Jews as He submits himself to the baptism of John. So too is the Trinity made manifest. The Spirit descends like a dove, the Father reveals with a gentle voice, and the Son embraces our human condition. This manifestation makes plenty of sense since the three Divine Persons are indeed One and are always working together to accomplish the Father’s plan of salvation. This plan stems from God’s immeasurable love and is ultimately an offer to share in that very love for the rest of eternity. We get a taste of that love in the words spoken from heaven, "You are my beloved Son … "

Sin caused such a breach in our relationship with God that the original union and intimacy that God intended for us to have with Him here on earth and for all eternity is no longer possible. So, God chose to do something radical. He chose to breach the gap by taking on our human condition and transforming it. His wisdom was able to find a most remarkable solution to the great problem of death and sin. God sent his only Son. His Son’s entrance into the human scene and his saving work has reopened the possibility of eternal life.

It is this amazing embrace of our humanity that is highlighted in Jesus descent into the waters of the Jordan.

Perhaps a parable might help make this mystery come alive again for us. Long ago there ruled in Persia a wise and good king. He loved his people very much. He wanted to develop a deeper bond with his people. He wanted to experience their hardships in order to show his solidarity with them. Often he dressed in the clothes of a working man or beggar and went to the homes of the poor. No one he visited thought he was their king. Once he visited a very poor man who lived in cave. He ate the coarse food the poor man ate. He spoke kind, cheerful words to him. Then he left. Later he visited the poor man again and revealed to him his true identity. How surprised the poor man was! The king thought that the man would surely ask for some gift or favor. But he did not. Instead, he said: "You left your palace and your glory to visit me in this dreary place. You ate the coarse food I ate. You brought gladness to my heart. To others you have given your rich gifts. To me you have given yourself."

As we commemorate Jesus’ baptism, and as we approach Holy Communion, may our prayerful reflection upon these great mysteries lead us to cry out with deep gratitude, "To me you have given Yourself!"

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