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FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY --BAPTISM OF THE LORD

Every one of the passages for this Sunday correspond beautifully with the theme of baptism. Nuances, of course, mark each one slightly differently, but generally, a homily might be in conversation with all three. In the first lesson we hear the familiar strains of new hope based on past promises in which water becomes both preserver and destroyer. In the second lesson, Luke tells us the importance of baptism as the culmination of Christian conversion; finally the gospel lesson describes Jesus’ baptism and the "signs" that follow. Remember your baptism and be thankful. Enjoy!

ISAIAH 43:1-7-SOME THROUGH THE WATERS

The brief chastisements which precede our lesson (42:28-25) abruptly give place to the hope-inspired themes that 2nd Isaiah is noted for-restoration and reconciliation. God personally promises to be present with Israel through all of their suffering. God is their Creator and thus, is the one who originally shaped them into a nation and who marks them with identity. God will again restore them again to be the people of God. Most readers familiar with the Hebrew narrative will no doubt recall the story of the Exodus when the water obeys the staff of Moses so that Israel is able to pass through walls of water safely while destroying their pursuers. Such an image is now used to infuse an exiled people with renewed hope for a better future.

ACTS 8:14-17-MY WITNESSES IN JERUSALEM. . . JUDEA . . . AND IN SAMARIA

With the fulfillment of the prophetic word of Jesus concerning the Samaritans fresh in our memory (Acts 1:8), we now come to a brief summary account of how the Samaritans became part of the Christian community and the apostolic protocol apparently required. When the Christian leaders in Jerusalem caught wind of that the Samaritans had responded to the gospel under Philip’s preaching, they promptly dispatched two leaders-Peter and John-to pray for these newly baptized Christians to receive the promised Holy Spirit.

LUKE 3:15-17, 21-22-BAPTIZED IN THE SPIRIT

Luke seeks to correct what seems to have been confusion over the identities and roles of John and Jesus. Perhaps at the very beginning of the Jesus movement, deciphering Messiah from Harbinger of the Messiah was tricky business. Here Luke not only clarifies the roles of the two but also describes the nature of Jesus’ work-a characteristic of which corresponded with the popular conception of the Messiah-as one who judges and discerns among humanity and thus executes divine justice. The concluding paragraph contained in this lesson shifts the focus from controversy to the actual baptism of Jesus. Luke, ever the champion of prayer, reports that Jesus was praying following his baptism when the Spirit descended upon him with the familiar acclamation of voice, word, and symbol.