‘Here is my servant whom I uphold’
With the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we reach the end of Christmastide, and the Gospel readings begin to follow Jesus in his teaching and public mission. This feast is another ‘epiphany’: a manifestation of God as Father, Son and Spirit.
The First Reading from Isaiah is joyous. God will save his people. Like a shepherd he will care for them, and bring them home from exile.
The Psalm is a prayer of praise to the God of creation, who nourishes his people and pours forth his Spirit upon them.
In the Second Reading we are told that we have been saved through rebirth in water and the Spirit: not through any merit of our own, but thanks to the loving kindness of our God.
In the Gospel we hear God’s voice proclaiming Jesus as his beloved Son, and the Spirit descends upon him as he is baptised by John.
As Pilgrims of Hope in this Jubilee year, let us consider the glories of our universe, created through and for Christ, who brings all things to perfection. Perhaps pondering on the waters of baptism will lead us to a greater and deeper appreciation of this wonderful element, and encourage us to help and pray for those deprived of life-giving water.
