the feast of the baptism of the lord - Parafia św. Ferdynanda w Chicago

January 9, 2011 The Baptism of the Lord Page Four9th January 2011 Baptism of the LordJesus' baptism was a defining moment. Immersed in the water of the Jordan, he embraced his vocation. In Jesus'baptism we are brought into the very heart of two profound mysteries of our faith: firstly, the depth of Jesus'identification with the human race and, secondly, a revelation of the triune God. God wants us to marvel at hisplan of salvation. Today's Gospel can help us do just that.The baptism Jesus received was one of repentance (Mark 1:4), which is whyJohn tried to deter him (Matt. 3:14). He who had no sin had no need to repent.We cannot really understand what it would be like to be sinless. To befree of pride, jealousy, self-seeking and all the other pervasive drives at workwithin the heart is something we cannot know. In fact, there is a human tendencythat means that once conscious of any moral or spiritual strength weseek to elevate ourselves above our fellow human beings, thus leading usagain to sin (cf. Luke 18:11-12).God's love for us, however, is revealed fey his desire to identify with us inour sinfulness. We may forget what an amazing concept this is. Imaginesomeone languishing on death row, guilty of a heinous crime. The wheelsare in motion to carry out the death penalty, but an innocent man steps forwardand offers to take their place. Such a notion is shocking. It offends oursense of natural justice. The point is, this isn't about natural justice, but God'sjustice, in which love and mercy triumph over judgement.We mustn't think that our God doesn't understand the burden of our nature.Jesus became like us in every way except sin. He lived in obedience to hisFather and through the power of the Holy Spirit he was able to resist temptation and overcome the evil one. Wetoo have received the Holy Spirit. We too can live life in obedience to our heavenly Father and resist and overcomesin. The God we believe in is not a remote deity but the living God who is the Father of our Lord JesusChrist, the Holy Spirit our Counsellor and Comforter, and the Lord Jesus our Brother, Saviour and Redeemer.'The Spirit of God descended on Jesus and anointed him,as he had promised in the prophets,so that we might draw on the fullness of his anointing and so be saved.'(St Irenaeus)We live in this world where God is not so manifest as tangible things are but can be sought and found only whenthe heart sets out on the “exodus” from “Egypt”. It is in this world that be are obliged to resist the delusions offalse philosophies and to recognize that we do not live by bread alone but first and foremost obedience to God’sword. Only when this obedience to God’s word is put into practice does the attitude develop that is also capableof providing bread for all.Obedience to God’s word is very necessary. At the beginning of this year too many Catholics believe that theTen Commandments are now the Ten Suggestions, and we could probably carve off a few of those suggestionsso we won’t be bothered with the Ten Commandments. Christ lived according to those Ten Commandments andif we confidently follow Him, we too live those Ten Commandments.