A Lectio Divina Approach to the Sunday Liturgy
BREAKING THE BREAD OF THE WORD (Series 8, n. 7)
Baptism of the Lord, Year C – January 10, 2010 *
“The Kindness of God Appears”
BIBLE READINGS
Is 40:1-5, 9-11 // Ti 2:11-14; 3:4-7 // Lk 3:15-16, 21-22
(N.B. Series 8 of BREAKING THE BREAD OF THE WORD: A LECTIO DIVINA APPROACH TO THE SUNDAY LITURGY includes a prayerful study of the Sunday liturgy of Year C from the perspective of the Second Reading. For reflections on the Sunday liturgy of Year C based on the Gospel reading, please scroll up to the “ARCHIVES” above and open Series 2. For reflections based on the Old Testament reading, open Series 5.)
I. BIBLICO-LITURGICAL REFLECTIONS
The feast of the Lord’s Baptism concludes the beautiful and heartwarming Christmas-Epiphany season of the Church’s liturgical year. Today’s feast invites us to contemplate and recapitulate the meaning of the Christmas-Epiphany mystery. The Son of God is the manifestation or “epiphany” of God’s love and kindness for us. The Word of God became man to save us. Baptized at the River Jordan and avowed by the Father as his Servant-Son, Jesus was faithful to his baptismal consecration-mission and achieved the divine saving plan through his ultimate “baptism” - the “blood-bath” of his sacrificial death on the cross.
The baptism of Jesus at the Jordan was, in a certain way, an “epiphany” for him. The biblical scholar Eugene Maly comments: “Baptism was the first public event in Jesus’ ministry … The Jordan baptism opened up a whole new world for Jesus, and from that time on he began preaching the Kingdom of God … What was clearly manifested to him now was that he was, in the Father’s words, “my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (…) What is most important, he now knew that he was the “Suffering Servant”. He was aware that the coming of the Kingdom was connected not only with his preaching of the Kingdom of God, but also with his own death (…) The implications for us are enormous. It means that, when we are baptized in Christ’s baptism, we are baptized into his death (Rom 6:3). All our sufferings and death have new meaning. The cross is part of the Christian “way”. But it is the cross of the Kingdom, the cross of glory. It is an “Alleluia” cross.”
This Sunday’s Second Reading (Ti 2:11-14; 3:4-7) is composed of two insightful passages that were used in the liturgy of Christmas. The first passage (Ti 2:11-14)), which proclaims that “the grace of God has appeared, saving all”, was read at the Christmas Midnight Mass. The second passage (Ti 3:4-7), which extols the “epiphany” of the kindness and generous of God through his Son Jesus Christ who saved us through “the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit”, was read at the Christmas Dawn Mass. Read again at the feast of the Lord’s Baptism which concludes the Christmas-Epiphany season, these powerful affirmations direct our attention beyond the “water immersion” of Jesus at the River Jordan to his Spirit-laden and life-giving blood-bath on the cross. Indeed, the Lord’s incarnation is intimately linked with his passion and redemptive mission on the cross.
The Jesuit biblical scholar Jerome Neyrey remarks: “God has appeared in our history to save all people, which plan was realized in Jesus, who redeemed us by his sacrifice … We were redeemed from “lawlessness” and cleansed from sin and made eager to do what is right. Our redemption was both a radical change of life from sin to grace and also an instruction and empowerment by God’s Spirit in integrity … God’s salvation was realized in Jesus’ sacrificial death, and Christians personally participate in that salvation when they receive the cleansing of a new birth and the gift of God’s Spirit … So Christians are radically changed because God has entered our lives, and to the pagan world the Christian God is proved to be true Lord and Savior of all. Faith in this God, far from corrupting us, perfects us for a full and responsible life.”
Our celebration of the Christmas-Epiphany mystery has left us with images of hope and renewal. As we conclude this grace-filled season with the episode of the Lord’s Baptism we continue to be grateful to God the Father for his wonderful Christmas gift – his beloved Servant-Son Jesus. We are likewise grateful that through the sacrament of Baptism we too were immersed into the blood-bath of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection. In living our own baptismal consecration in imitation of Jesus, we become a continual “Christmas gift” for others and to one another.
The following words of Harold Buetow will help us to celebrate today’s baptismal feast with greater personal meaning: “Our baptism is as awe-inspiring a phenomenon as was Jesus’. Through baptism, we have become branches of Jesus the vine (Jn 15:1-17). Through baptism, we have achieved death to sin and life in God (Rm 6:1-2). Through baptism, we become members of the body of Christ – part of the people of God. Through baptism, we are incorporated into the death and resurrection of Christ. Through baptism, we are adopted as children of God, having the Spirit dwell in us. We must be open to the Spirit and remain faithful to our calling.”
Mr. Tony Blair, three times elected Prime Minister of Britain and who received a standing ovation on his last day in Parliament in a country famous for its reserve, was admitted into the Catholic Church in 2008. He was interviewed for the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano and the following excerpts illustrate the challenges of a person who has made a leap of faith and who endeavors to live his baptismal consecration in the world today (cf. L’Osservatore Romano, September 16, 2009, p. 11-12).
Let us start with your recent entry into the Catholic Church. Two years ago, following your visit to the Pope in June the world started to buzz with news of your possible conversion to Catholicism. Can you tell us what led to your decision?
My spiritual journey began when I started to go to Mass with my wife. And then when we had children they were baptized in the Catholic Church. So really for 25 years or more I was going to Mass. And over time it just seemed to me emotionally, intellectually and rationally that it was the right spiritual home for me. It happened over a period of time. And then when I left office, when I was no longer in the position of Prime Minister, it was something I wanted to do.
Do you come from a religious family?
Actually, not really. My mother used to go to Church occasionally, as she was a protestant from Ireland. My father on the other hand was a militant atheist. But in Durham I went to the Chorister School attached to the Cathedral, so religion was very much part of my schooling. However it was really at university that I started to think seriously about my Christian faith, to think about it more profoundly. And it was then that I realized it was not only an important aspect but central to my life.
Cherie Booth is a Catholic. What importance has religion in your marriage?
Religion was something that brought us together. We did not meet as a result of religion, but it was very interesting to discover that my wife was very active in the Catholic student and other youth organizations. It was quite unusual for 23-24-year-olds as we were then to find we shared this interest in religion.
During your last visit to Benedict XVI as Prime Minister you gave him three photographs of John Henry Newman. Was the reason for choosing this gift the fact that Cardinal Newman played an important role in your journey towards conversion? Or did other figures contribute to it?
No, Cardinal Newman was not the reason even though, obviously, I knew his history and had read his writings. The photographs were simply an appropriate gift. With regard to other figures, I was very lucky to have participated, with my family in 2003, in a Mass that Pope John Paul II celebrated in his private chapel. I still have a very vivid memory of it. The event made a huge impression on me. Of course, it is highly likely that I would have come to this decision anyway but it was undoubtedly an important milestone that further strengthened my decision. One of the things that most attracted me to the Catholic Church was her universal nature. If you are a Catholic, you can go anywhere in the world and take part in Mass in all countries. I have been to Mass in Kengali, in Beijing, in Singapore. I remember when we went to Mass in Tokyo. I went incognito, in a very low key, but at the end of the celebration a woman invited the many visitors to stand up and introduce themselves. So I stood up and said “I’m Tony from London”. Which was quite a surprise! Well, the sense that wherever you are in the world you are in communion with others is truly formidable. It is something that fascinates me. The universal Church is herself the model of a global institution.
More in general, do you think that in modern democracies politicians have the right to talk on behalf of their faith – for example, explaining that they are against abortion because abortion violates the fifth commandment – or is it their duty to be silent about personal beliefs?
No, I’ve always said that people have the right to speak. And that’s why I was very insistent on these issues, handles on a frequent basis in the U.K. Because people do feel very strongly about them. People have different views on these issues but if a person holds a view that is absolutely central to his being of course he should have the right to speak about it.
To return to you, since your conversion has anything changed in your personal life (for example, as a father), in your political activities in Britain and lastly in your new role on the international scene?
As a father, it was just a continuation. My three elder children, now really grown up, are practicing Catholics (they still go to Mass fortunately!). They were baptized into the Catholic Church and have all been educated at Catholic schools (Leo, the youngest, is also being educated at a Catholic school). Faith has always been very much part of our family life. In this regard, therefore, my conversion did not change anything.
With regard to British politics, I have tried to stay out of them since I left Downing Street. Lastly, as for my international commitment, obviously faith makes me particularly sensitive and attentive to certain specific issues.
Think of the Middle East. For a believer to be there is fascinating, exciting, motivating. To visit the places of the Holy Land was wonderful: to go to places such as Jericho, the River Jordan where Jesus was baptized and of course Jerusalem, where my office is. Being a person of faith gives all this special significance.
In Africa, my Foundation for inter-religious dialogue is very active. For example, we have a program that unites different religions in the fight against malaria which kills one million people in Africa every year, mainly children.
We are also concerned with climate change. I believe that respect for the environment for the future generations is our responsibility as Christians. All these subjects are very much dominated by my faith. The Tony Blair Foundation aims to promote respect and understanding about the world’s major religions – Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Judaism – and to show how faith is a powerful force for good in the modern world. I recall that I launched the Foundation in Westminster Cathedral to a Catholic audience.
II. POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART
Do I rejoice that the glory of the Lord is revealed so that all people may see it? What do I do to make the divine glory shine upon the hearts of the people around me and in the world?
Do I perceive the personal significance of the Lord’s Baptism at the Jordan? How does the baptismal consecration impinge and shape our life as Christians?
Do I see the intimate connection between the Lord’s baptism and my own baptism, between the Lord’s incarnation and paschal mystery and my vocation to be reborn in Christ and in the Spirit? Am I truly grateful for the Christmas-Epiphany mystery? Do I allow myself to be shaped by the spiritual reality that the grace of God has appeared for our salvation and that Jesus, the incarnate Word, saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit?
III. PRAYING WITH THE WORD
Leader: Loving Father,
we are truly grateful for the Christmas-Epiphany mystery.
Your grace has appeared in Jesus Christ,
born for our salvation.
He saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
In the Lord’s baptism at River Jordan
is prefigured the saving event of his blood-bath on the cross.
By your kindness, we are immersed in this blood-bath of grace.
Sustain us in this New Year 2010 with images of hope and renewal.
Teach us how to prolong the joy and peace of Christmas through the year.
Give us the grace to be faithful to our baptismal consecration.
In Jesus your Servant-Son,
help us to be a continual “epiphany”
of your kindness and love for the world
and in the world.
We love you and we glorify you,
now and forever.
Assembly: Amen.
IV. INTERIORIZATION OF THE WORD
The following is the bread of the living Word that will nourish us throughout the week. Please memorize it.
“When the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared … he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” (Ti 3:4-5)
V. TOWARDS LIFE TRANSFORMATION
ACTION PLAN: In this feast of the Lord’s Baptism, be thankful for your own gift of baptismal consecration. By you’re acts of kindness especially to the people around you and your charitable deeds especially to those in greatest need, allow the kindness and generous love of God to shine forth with greater intensity in today’s world.
ACTION PLAN: That we may truly glean the meaning of the Lord’s Baptism and our own baptismal consecration; make an effort to spend an hour in Eucharistic Adoration. Visit the PDDM WEB site (www.pddm.us) for the EUCHARISTIC ADORATION THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR: A Weekly Pastoral Tool (Year C, vol. 6, # 7).
Prepared by Sr. Mary Margaret Tapang PDDM
PIAE DISCIPULAE DIVINI MAGISTRI
SISTER DISCIPLES OF THE DIVINE MASTER
60 Sunset Ave., Staten Island, NY 10314
Tel. (718) 494-8597 // (718) 761-2323
Website: WWW.PDDM.US