The Baptism of the Lord (1/9/23)

The Baptism of the Lord - Feast

Introduction

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is a Christian holiday that commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. The event is recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and it is seen as a significant moment in the life of Jesus because it marks the beginning of his public ministry. According to the Gospels, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, and as he came up out of the water, the Holy Spirit descended upon him in the form of a dove, and a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is typically celebrated on the Sunday after the Epiphany, which is the Christian holiday that commemorates the arrival of the wise men, or Magi, to visit the baby Jesus. The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is an important holiday in the Christian calendar, and it is typically marked with special services and prayers in churches around the world.

Readings: Is 42:1-4, 6-7 or Acts 10:34-38/Mt 3:13-17

Is 42:1-4 describes the "servant" of God, who is chosen by God and given the task of bringing justice to the nations. This servant is described as being gentle and humble, and is meant to be a light to the nations, guiding them towards God.

Acts 10:34-38 is a passage from the book of Acts in the New Testament. In this passage, the apostle Peter is addressing a group of people and tells them that God shows no partiality, but that anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him.

Matthew 3:13-17 describes the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. John the Baptist protests when Jesus asks to be baptized, saying that Jesus should baptize him instead. However, Jesus insists, saying that it is necessary for Him to fulfill all righteousness. After Jesus is baptized, the heavens are opened and the Holy Spirit descends upon Him in the form of a dove.

Themes

One common theme in these passages is the idea of God's chosen servant or messenger, who is tasked with spreading God's message and bringing justice to the world. 

Another theme is the idea of humility and servant leadership, as the servant of God in Is 42 is described as being gentle and humble, and Jesus willingly submits to the baptism of John the Baptist, even though John protests that Jesus should be the one baptizing him. 

A third theme is the idea of inclusivity and non-discrimination, as stated in Acts 10:34-38, where Peter tells the listeners that God shows no partiality and that anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him.

Theology

There are several theological themes that can be found in these passages.

First, the voice crying out in the wilderness is often understood to be a reference to the prophet Isaiah, who foretold the coming of a messenger who would prepare the way for the Lord (Isaiah 40:3). This messenger is believed by many to be John the Baptist, who is mentioned in the passages you provided.

Second, the act of baptizing with water and fire is symbolic of cleansing and purification. Water is often associated with washing and cleansing in the Bible, and the fire can be seen as a symbol of the Holy Spirit, who purifies and transforms believers.

Finally, the passages also speak of the coming of the Lord, who is believed by Christians to be Jesus. Jesus is seen as the savior of the world, and the one through whom people can find forgiveness and eternal life. These passages, therefore, can be seen as an invitation for people to turn to Jesus and receive the salvation that he offers.

Poetry

The servant of the Lord,
Chosen by His mighty hand,
Bringing justice to the nations,
Guiding them to His command.

A light to all the world,
Shining bright and pure,
Leading people to salvation,
Their hearts made sure.

The humble servant's way,
A path of love and peace,
Bringing hope and comfort,
Never ceasing to release.

No discrimination found,
In the sight of God above,
All who fear Him and do right,
Are filled with His love.

The baptism of the Lord,
An act of righteousness,
The Holy Spirit descends,
In the form of a dove, caressing.

These ideas all converge,
In a message clear and true,
A call to follow the servant,
And do what we ought to do.

Limerick

There once was a man named John
Who lived in the desert alone
He preached of a savior
To all who would favor
His message of love to be shown

The savior he spoke of was he
Who would set all humanity free
He was baptized by John
And from then on
His ministry did swiftly flee

The message he brought was quite clear
That all who believed would have no fear
For God's love and mercy
Would never be blurry
But always be shining and clear

Canto (ala Dante)

As Jesus rose from the Jordan's flow,
The heavens opened wide and a voice did say,
"This is my beloved son, whom I know
To be the savior of the world today."

The Holy Spirit descended like a dove,
And all of nature seemed to pause and wait.
The Father's love was plain to see and love
For His son shone bright, it was no small feat.

All those who witnessed this divine event,
Were filled with awe and wonder at the sight.
And from that day forth, their hearts were bent
Toward the love and grace that shone so bright.

So let us celebrate the feast of the baptism,
A joyous occasion for all to share.
Let us remember the love and the compassion
That Jesus brings, let us all show we care.

Haiku

A voice cries out,
"In the wilderness prepare
The way for the Lord."

John the Baptist speaks,
Baptizing with water and fire,
Making way for Christ.

Chinese Tang Style

Amidst the wild mountains, a voice doth rise
"Make ready the way, for the Lord to arrive"
The Baptist appears, with a message so wise
Baptizing with water, a symbol divine
But there is more to his words, a fire that glows
A cleansing of spirit, a purifying fire
For the One who comes after, whose love overflows
Whose mercy and grace, our hearts will desire
So heed the message, of John the Baptist bold
And make ready the way, for the Lord to behold

Iambic Pentameter

A voice doth cry, amid the wilderness bleak
"Make ready the path for the Lord to pass through
John comes with a message, a Baptist meek
Baptizing with water, a symbol true
But there's more to his message, a fire burns deep
A cleansing of spirit, a purifying deed
For the One who comes after, the world to keep
Whose power and mercy, all hearts will exceed
So heed the message, of John the Baptist bold
And prepare the way, for the Lord to behold

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