January 11th, 2015 - The Baptism of the Lord

"On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him." - Mark 1:10

Imagine the heavens being torn asunder. What an incredible sight!

We humans have yearned to see such a thing for as long as we've been craning our necks upward in search of the God who seems to be veiled beyond the starry skies. Despite our best efforts, He remains just beyond our reach, as if some invisible barrier stands between us. So, we join the prophet Isaiah in begging God to "rend the heavens and come down, with the mountains quaking before you‚ " (63:19)

Indeed, only God could cross the divide that separates us, and the good news is that He did. He tore the heavens open to reveal Himself through Jesus, His "beloved Son, with whom [He was] well pleased." (Mark 1:11)

This all took place at the moment of Jesus' baptism by John in the Jordan River. At first glance, it seems rather unnecessary for Jesus to be baptized, because He had no sin and therefore no need. John himself acknowledged this in Matthew's Gospel when he questioned Jesus by saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?" However, Jesus tells him to, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." (3:14-15)

What is righteousness? It means relating to others with justice so as to develop relationships that are ordered correctly or rightly. And only when we do this can we have peace, which is what God wants.

He wants to give us this peace by bringing us into right relationship with Himself. This should be impossible, but for God righteousness is a paradox in which opposites are united and enemies become friends.

That is why He tore open the heavens to take on flesh in the Virgin Mary's womb. That is why he was born into poverty, even though he was the King. That is why he was baptized as a sinner, even though He was sinless.

He did all this for the sake of righteousness: so that sinners could be saved, so that paupers could become kings, and so that man could be made divine.

In the greatest paradox of all, Jesus conquered death by dying, so that we might live. At that very moment, just as the heavens were torn apart at His baptism, the sanctuary veil of the Temple was torn in two, giving all humanity access to God's dwelling,

By breaking down these barriers God restored right relationships and began ushering in the lasting peace of His Kingdom. He calls us to participate with Him in this great endeavor.

Therefore, let us heed the words of Blessed Pope Paul VI who famously wrote, "If you want peace, work for justice." Let us rend our hearts and mend our relationships through God's love until "the dawn from on high breaks upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." (Luke 1:78-79)

Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on us. Reveal your love to us and grant us your salvation. Restore our relationships and bring us into the light of your peace. Amen.