The Feast of the Baptism of Jesus – God’s manifestation in Jesus and ourselves

A South African TV advertisement, some years ago, began with a quiet voice saying: ‘If you want to catch someone’s attention, whisper!’ Jesus’ baptism was a rather quiet affair – not something dramatic. According to Matthew, only Jesus saw the dove and heard the voice, and immediately was led into seclusion and isolation in the wilderness. The other readings also point to the power of quiet proclamation in word and action. Those of us who follow Jesus and seek to influence others in the area of justice and love might remember this where we proclaim the Good News by lives of gently lived justice as well as challenging words.

Manifestation of Jesus to the Peoples of all Nations

In any journey worth taking there is often some uncertainty. The journey of the Magi was one of uncertainty and discovery. Isaiah today says, ‘the darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples.’ and something is needed to pierce the darkness. It can happen when people have the courage to look and see and go beyond the familiar and comfortable to discover a presence not seen before.

What is it about the innocence of children who speak the truth and try to tell those in leadership that they are naked are so disturbing? A recent example is that of Greta Thunberg rubbished by the likes of people like Donald Trump. We have also witnessed politicians here in Australia chastise schoolchildren who, instead of going to school for a day, schooled the adults of this world, those in power, that they are losing power when they fail to act on the main issues of the day such as the climate emergency.

Today’s gospel reveals a shift. It focuses not on the end times but on the lead up to Jesus’  birth and Joseph’s reaction to the announcement of Mary’s pregnancy. Whenever something new is to happen in the scriptures, we hear the words, “Do not be afraid.” We are called to be open to God in changing times, as was Joseph, Mary. ‘Do not be afraid’ when Jesus is about to be born, when the resurrection is revealed, when the Holy Spirit is celebrated. Fear has become increasingly a guest on our national table and disguised as ‘national security’.

‘My constituency is the desperate, the damned, the disinherited, the disrespected, and the despised?’

Rev Jesse Jackson

Isaiah invited us last week to imagine a different world and a different way of being together by using images of a world restored. Pope Francis keeps referring to a ‘culture of encounter’. Advent’s vision of a peaceable realm is not just about a lion and lamb together, but about seemingly more unimaginable – people living justly and peacefully together and in harmony with creation.