Sunday 12 January 2025

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Today is Sunday the 12th of January, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

Maximilian sings, ‘Jordan’s Waters’.

You laid aside Your glory on the banks of the Jordan

And all for me You went down to the depths

You traded Heaven's borders for the chill of murky waters

And took the place of one condemned to death

That day John preached for man to draw near

But God it's You that came down here

Making shorter Man's road to You

In Jordan's waters I'm being made new

As You plunged into the deep in search of muddy pearls

Son of Man, You left behind Your robe

There You found me in the dark and as You rose out of the mire

This prodigal came up dressed in gold

When You rose out of that pale grave into a hot Judean sun

With a violence the heavens did divide

Father You came running, and You wrapped me in Your voice

Shouting "this son of mine was dead but now's alive!"

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. We will only hear today’s passage once through, and we will spend our time reflecting imaginatively on all that happens…

Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’

Place yourself in this scene. Feel the sensations of the air, earth, water and sky all around you. The air with all its aromas… the water sparkling, dancing, or flat calm. The sunlight dappled, or direct and strong. The sky colour, perhaps a vivid blue or a darkening grey. Sunrise or sunset. Take it all in. Breathe in the air deeply. Bend down and feel the water temperature. Cool, warm, bitingly cold? Bring the water to your lips to taste.

See John and hear what he has to say. Try and get the measure of the man. How does he look? How does he sound? What do you think of him? “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” What’s your reaction to John’s words?

Watch as Jesus Himself approaches. What do you notice about him?

Watch as Jesus enters the water, how John receives him. Notice the sounds.

Witness the baptism of Jesus. His descending into the water and emerging.

Watch as the dove approaches. Gently? With a great flapping of wings?

Hear the tone of the voice from heaven: ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased’.

Feel the weight of the scene. You know how the story unfolds: the uncertainties, the terrors, the trials, the temptations, the tears, before any triumph can take place.

Speak with the Lord Jesus as he brings his own prayer to an end, one of many, many prayers to His Father in heaven. Tell him what you’d love to know, tell him what you long for.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.