Reflection by Rev. Leonard N. Peterson

Whether it’s the well-known writer coming to town for a book signing, or the celebrity songstress arriving at the local arena, expectation fuels anticipation, and ticket sales reach a new high. It’s just a natural happening. A bit of excitement that cuts through the ordinary day to day rhythm of our lives.

But when some other event occurs, for example the funeral of a loved one, the interruption of the usual pattern triggers deep thoughts within us, whether we choose to go there or not. Then we’re not as taken up by celebrity or fame. We want solid answers to serious questions. Fulfillment over fantasy.

With the coming of Christ into our world some 2,000 plus years ago, we got the best answers possible to our most serious questions. Of course, we need His very help, with trusting faith, to realize that.

To begin with, God surprised us all by coming to us in a human nature like ours in so many ways but one: it was linked mysteriously by a divine nature. Who is Jesus is easier to answer than what is He because of this dual nature in one Person.

This well-known event of His baptism at the storied Jordan river presents a problem and raises questions. If one of the purposes of Baptism is to remove original sin, what is the Son of God Himself letting His cousin John the Baptist pour the water over Him? Where is the authenticity here? There are several answers.

First is Our Lord’s intent to demonstrate His humility and become an example for us. Secondly, the baptism became a way for God to confirm that Jesus was His Son. Thirdly, the baptism enabled Jesus to join our humanity by sharing in our baptism. Finally, it was the way Jesus chose to inaugurate His mission among us as the obedient Son of God. We are quite conscious of the meaning of “inauguration” this month in the political life of our country. We could say, respectfully, that as Christmas was Christ’s birth and arrival, so His baptism marked His first day at work.

Several years ago, one of our astronauts who walked on the moon was asked “What were you thinking about as you stood on the moon and looked back at the earth?” The astronaut replied, “I remembered how the spacecraft was built by the lowest bidder.”

We as Christians can rejoice that the work of salvation did not go to “the lowest bidder,” but was performed by an infinite God. Every expectation will be met. There will never be a deficiency in His work. Alleluia!

God love you and give you His peace.

Rev. Peterson’s Reading & Gospel Summary

Reading I: Isaiah 42: 1-4, 6-7
The servant of God fulfills his mission quietly. He will have a gentle respect for others, and he will heal those who acknowledge their need for it.

Reading II: Titus 2: 11-14; 3: 4-7
We as Christians are given help to live virtuously now and for the future through the power of Christ. He has saved us by the bath of rebirth.

The Gospel: Luke 3: 15-16, 21-22
After His baptism and while He was praying, heaven opened up. This followed John the Baptist’s preaching about the “mightier One” coming.