You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased

Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not, John answered, saying to all, "I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn, but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire."

And with many other exhortations he preached to the people. But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, also added this, above all, that he shut John up in prison.

When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased."

- Luke 3:15-22

In yesterday's reading, we began the Gospel of Luke in the lectionary cycle. John the Baptist has come proclaiming the advent of the One who is to come. He repeats the words of the prophecy of Isaiah: Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight. He speaks of the great leveling that is to take place before Him, and preaches a repentance of righteousness and baptism in preparation.

Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not, John answered, saying to all, "I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn, but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire." My study bible notes: "With a clear understanding of his own mission, John points to Christ as coming Messiah who will baptize . . . with the Holy Spirit and fire. Although baptism is practiced by Jesus' circle of disciples (John 4:1, 2), the prophecy here describes the baptismal gift of the Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). Fire in this context seems to imply judgment, the same as the images of the winnowing fan and of burning the chaff (v. 17). John understands that the coming of the Messiah brings judgment, as the Apostle John writes, 'This is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil' (John 3:19)." In keeping with the images John the Baptist quotes from the prophecy of Isaiah (see yesterday's reading and commentary), John emphasizes the great leveling that is to take place. All people will stand before this judgment equally. The powerful linking of the coming of the Holy Spirit with the fire of judgment is an important clue to understanding what judgment is about, to my mind. It all depends upon how we respond to this Spirit, a very real mystical presence for each of us. John the Baptist preaches repentance for this great event, this gift and bestowal for each one of us.

And with many other exhortations he preached to the people. But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, also added this, above all, that he shut John up in prison. My study bible notes, "John rebuked Herod Antipas because he had divorced his wife and married Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, while Philip was still living." With the evocation of judgment and righteousness also comes oppression of the righteous, specifically of the prophet who speaks of the One who is to come. In the Gospel narratives, this very clear element will play itself out as the face of evil force in the world. As companion to St. Paul, the Evangelist Luke himself would be no stranger to the forces of the law and imperial rule used against their missionary activities. As Evangelist to Gentiles, it is important to note that in yesterday's reading, Luke writes of John the Baptist's preaching of the righteousness and repentance available to both soldiers and tax collectors, representatives and enforcers of Roman rule.

When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. My study bible notes, "Jesus comes to be baptized, recognizing John's ministry. Jesus does not need baptism for forgiveness of sins, for He is sinless. Rather He is baptized to be revealed to Israel (John 1:31). In this baptism, He identifies Himself with His church that is to be, prefiguring our going down to death in baptism (see Rom. 6:1-6). By thus entering the waters of Jordan, He sanctifies forever the waters of baptism (and indeed, all of creation), by mystery restoring it to its original condition through union with Him." I quite love this theology of union; it emphasizes the basic goodness of creation, the beauty of the world restored and reunited with its Creator who offers life, more abundantly.

And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased." A note here reads: "The dove in bodily form is not an incarnation of the Spirit, but a temporary sign showing the invisible descent of the fullness of the Spirit on Jesus. The voice of the Father testifies to the divine nature of Christ, completing the revealing (epiphany) of the Holy Trinity at the baptism of Jesus. The [Eastern] church sets aside January 6th as a day to celebrate this Epiphany or Theophany (lit. "appearance of God") of our Lord." The practice in the ancient church was to celebrate this event on January 6h, a tradition still kept to this day in various branches of the church. It marks the beginning of Jesus' public ministry, this revelation of Trinity and of Jesus' identity as Son.

In today's passage, we begin with John the Baptist's mission of preparation and repentance for the coming of the Lord. Isaiah's words from yesterday's reading teach us about this great preparation: all is leveled before Him. He brings with Him judgment, and salvation. John preaches a baptism of repentance and righteousness, even for those who are part of the mechanism of Roman rule, the soldiers and the tax collectors. When Jesus Himself steps into the Jordan for baptism, all is revealed: Father, Son and Spirit. We have a picture of completion in miniature form in today's reading: preparation, judgment, glorification revealing Jesus' true identity and the place in the Holy Trinity, the bestowal of the Spirit and the voice of the Father. And the waters of baptism are blessed, and ready to receive us as we, too, ask for this gift of the Spirit. Once again, as in yesterday's reading, it is time to ask, how shall we receive it? And how will we receive Him?