Jan 7, 2013
Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7 | Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10 | Acts 10:34-38 | Luke 3:15-16, 21-22
The Liturgy last week revealed the mystery of God's plan - that in
Jesus all peoples, symbolized by the Magi, have been made
"co-heirs" to the blessings promised Israel. This week, we're shown
how we claim our inheritance.
Jesus doesn't submit to John's baptism as a sinner in need of
purification. He humbles Himself to pass through Jordan's waters in
order to lead a new "exodus" - opening up the promised land of
heaven so that all peoples can hear the words pronounced over Jesus
today, words once reserved only for Israel and its king: that each
of us is a beloved son or daughter of God (see Genesis
22:2; Exodus
4:22; Psalm
2:7).
Jesus is the chosen servant Isaiah prophesies in today's First
Reading, anointed with the Spirit to make things right and just on
earth. God puts His Spirit upon Jesus to make Him "a covenant of
the people," the liberator of the captives, the light to the
nations. Jesus, today's Second Reading tells us, is the One long
expected in Israel, "anointed...with the Holy Spirit and
power."
The word Messiah means "one anointed" with God's Spirit. King David
was "the anointed of the God of Jacob" (see 2
Samuel 23:1-17;
Psalm 18:51;
132:10,17).
The prophets taught Israel to await a royal offshoot of David, upon
whom the Spirit would rest (see Isaiah
11:1-2;
Daniel 9:25).
That's why the crowds are so anxious at the start of today's
Gospel. But it isn't John they're looking for. God confirms with
His own voice what the Angel earlier told Mary - Jesus is the Son
of the Most High, come to claim the throne of David forever (see
Luke 1:32-33).
In the Baptism that He brings, the voice of God will hover over the
waters as fiery flame, as we sing in today's Psalm. He has
sanctified the waters, made them a passage-way to healing and
freedom - a fountain of new birth and everlasting
life.