We do not presume

 ‘…Let it be so now..’ (Matthew 3:15)

Luke 3:15-22 (Year C: Baptism of Jesus)

                                          pic: Reta Halteman Finger

 ‘Let it be’ is the title of a well known Beatles song from the 1960s. It found its way into some celebrations of the liturgy over years (proving that the Beatles were not just a great pop band!). The story of Jesus’ baptism is something of a puzzle. On the one hand, this is not baptism as the Christian community came to know it. It prefigured what would become the all familiar sacrament of Christian initiation. On the other hand, what is Jesus doing when he prevails over his cousin John to be baptised? Somehow, readings of this passage glide over the fact of Jesus’ baptism to the revelation of God’s glory, a voice from heaven and the descent of the Holy Spirit.  (Luke spots a direct connection to Isaiah 42:1). It is not every day that John the baptiser saw this happening!

The theology behind this story is well captured in the concluding verses of that hymn sometimes used in liturgies, Down by the Jordan:

Here in the Church, we are baptized and filled with God's Spirit. Freed and forgiven, we're welcomed with joy! Can you hear it? This is God's sign! This is how God says, "You're mine!" Let's take the good news and share it!

The only way to make sense of the story is to travel down to the Jordan, so to speak, and be immersed in the waters of tribulation and cleaning (the two go hand in hand if we can see it).  That takes courage. To go there in the first place is a big step. Then, to allow oneself to be immersed in the waters for a moment is an act of trust on the part of the one being submerged.  When confronted with a demand by his cousin for baptism, John had to change his attitude and plan of action.

Turning to our world we can see that presumption, pride and arrogance are a menace to human spiritual progress.  Masquerading as religiously upright behaviour and teaching it can happen that people place obstacles in the way of others on the grounds that they know the mind and will of God best.  We can all end up as one of the presumptuous preferring to quote scripture, tradition and our own reasoning to avoid the hard work of triangulating scripture, tradition, reason and experience – all with the help of others and under the Holy Spirit.

Like John and like Mary the mother of Jesus, we may find ourselves confronted by the completely unexpected. It might overturn our world and assumptions. And we have to let go of our plan while walking forward in trust. This can be very risky and even painful especially if we don’t see what lies ahead and what lies beside us as someone guides us gently into the waters.  Some seek God through various privations and disciplines. Yet, God meets us on our side of the water and takes us in a direction we never expected or foresaw or wanted or planned or desired.

Jesus walked into the Jordan in solidarity with all of us seeking healing, renewal and life. He didn’t need to do this. In fact, God didn’t need to send Jesus in the first place. However, this God of ours is a God-who-is-love and cannot help himself loving and making himself one with what he has created. And none of this is to take from the sovereignty of a God for whom all things are possible (including non-salvation).

Luke relates many incidents in Jesus’ life when he prayed alone or in public. In this sketch we see a crowd pressing in on the prophet John eager to hear his answer to the questions being asked.  Jesus was beginning to make his mark in the region but John was still the leading prophet who challenged people far and wide with a message of repentance. The symbolism of going down into the water and re-emerging is a powerful one for death and re-birth. Water carries a power and healing that is captured in many religious rituals and practices. In the Christian sacrament – not to be confused with the baptism of John found in the gospels – we go down with Christ to be raised up again.

For an adult undergoing ‘full immersion’ it can be a shock especially if the water is icy cold as it is in the baths in Lourdes in southern France by the waters of the river gave. Going along with a sound and established religious ritual is indeed a good thing to do. But, doing so with faith, conviction and prayer in the presence of God is what makes the difference.  This is why Christian baptism – a much neglected and overlooked sacrament – should be so central to the mission of all that we do as Christians.  Think of it – what happens in baptism is the most crucial outward sign of gift that is ours over all that comes before and all that comes after.  Anybody can be baptised once and for all where there is faith and intention. Baptism is the one sacrament that can – legitimately – be administered by anyone lay or ordained. And it is the one sacrament that is seen to be shared by all disciples of Christ whatever the petty squabbles over other sacraments which in many cases turns out to be a squabble over words and human philosophy (refer to 2 Timothy 2:14). (This is why it is theological nonsense to say that someone was ‘baptised’ into such and such a denomination for we can only be baptised into Christ. We may be received into such and such a denomination or community alongside or after baptism but we are baptised into Christ and are members of his worldwide body which is the catholic church bigger than any one denomination or cult).

We are made members of his Body when ‘water is poured over us’ in baptism and when ‘bread and wine is freely given to us’ in the eucharist.  From there flows discipleship and service day by day, year by year until we meet the Lord fully face to face at our death which is only are final rebirth to everlasting life.

How does our baptism connect with the baptism that Jesus – surprisingly – underwent in the river Jordan?  A baptism by John is a sign of something greater to come. It holds the meaning of repentance, cleansing and renewal. However, the baptism brought by Jesus will see a transformation in the Holy Spirit that will have a lasting effect on individuals and communities. It will build on John’s baptism and the prophecies of old but usher in a new life and reality for those who will taste of the holy spirit. Once marked there is no going back. Even if people walk away from their baptismal vows at some stage in their lives (is there anyone who doesn’t?) we have, each of us, been marked out by God’s love in this founding sacrament and this love will never leave us.