Scriptures: Isaiah 42:1-9; Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 3:13-17; Psalm 29
Reflection by Nancy Jo Bleier.
It’s been a busy week not only in our world but in the church calendar. Christmas ended for us on the Gregorian calendar. The Epiphany was January 6 when the Magi came from the east following the star to
where Jesus lay. Bishop Mark wrote in the Diocesan News “Happy Epiphanytide”. His words of are brilliant of about Manifest. If you didn’t receive the email with the News go to episcopalak.org, tap on News and Publications to read.
The church has a tradition of marking outside the doors about the Epiphany, After our service today we will bless the church with writing in chalk this year and the initials of the Magi.
Today we celebrating the baptism of the adult Jesus. Your task today is joining me in a different way of finding meaning of this baptism of Jesus from the Gospel Matthew which I just read.
Lectio Divina, meaning "Divine Reading," is a traditional Christian practice that involves reading Scripture in a reflective and meditative way to deepen one's relationship with God. It typically consists of four steps: reading, meditation, prayer, and contemplation, allowing individuals to listen for God's message in the text.
Today we are going to look at the Gospel reading from three different translations using three different questions. I am going to ask each question before reading each Gospel. After each reading I want you to answer out loud.. popcorn style your thoughts to each question.
1. What words, ideas or sentences stand out for you in the Gospel?
The Message
Jesus then appeared, arriving at the Jordan River from Galilee. He wanted John to baptize him. John objected, “I’m the one who needs to be baptized, not you!” 15 But Jesus insisted. “Do it. God’s work, putting things right all these centuries, is coming together right now in this baptism.” So John did it. 16-17 The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God’s Spirit—it looked like a dove—descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: “This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life.”
2. What is the Gospel or Spirit saying to you?
Good News Translation GNT
13 At that time Jesus arrived from Galilee and came to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.
14 But John tried to make him change his mind. "I ought to be baptized by you," John said, "and yet you have come to me!"
15 But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so for now. For in this way we shall do all that God requires." So John agreed.
16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he came up out of the water. Then heaven was opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove and lighting on him.
17 Then a voice said from heaven, "This is my own dear Son, with whom I am pleased.”
3. What is the Gospel or Spirit calling you to do?
New Revised Standard Version NRSV
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
As we go forward this week I ask you to ponder what these words mean to you in this complex world we are living in.
Go with the blessings of the Son, Jesus who was chosen in love.
Now in our service we will read today the Renewal of Baptismal Vows on p. 292.