Is. 42:1-4, 6-7; Ps.29:1-4, 9-10; Acts. 10:34-38; Mat. 3:13-17

“Allow it now” says the Lord.  Today, the Baptism of the Lord marks the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of ordinary time in the church.  The Child Jesus reminds us of his coming fully human and divine, a new beginning for humanity.  The baptism of the Lord is the beginning of Jesus ministry and a new beginning of our call to discipleship to serve God.

If Jesus is who he says he is, the son of God why baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins?  The command “Allow it now” reminds us of the mystery of God.  Often as the moment we don’t always understand why something happens in our life and we question God.  Trust in God says, “allow it now” to be as is for a greater good even in suffering and sacrifice.  The answer to the question is revealed in the life of Jesus as he comes to sanctify what is unholy and make holy beginning with the water of baptism and those who receive it. 

St. Maximus of Turin, bishop in a homily (sermo 100 de sancta Epiphania 1,3: CCL 23, 398-400) gives us understanding into the mystery of Jesus, human and divine.  He says, “At Christmas he was born a man; today he is reborn sacramentally.  Then he was born from the Virgin; today he is born in mystery.  When he was born a man, his mother Mary held him close to her heart; when he is born in mystery, God the Father embraces him with his voice when he says: This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased: listen to him.  The mother caresses the tender baby on her lap; the Father serves his Son by his loving testimony.  The mother holds the child for the Magi to adore; the Father reveals that his Son is to be worshiped by all the nations.  That is why the Lords Jesus went to the river for baptism, that is why he wanted his holy body to be washed with Jordan’s water.”

We are now sanctified by our baptism into the life as both human and divine to be one with Christ.  We are now called to be Christ to the world in our every day “little way” open to his presence in the world and in others.  When we “allow it now” it does not invite a passive response to life that sweeps us about like the wind blows a feather.  It challenges us much like the Serenity Prayer, “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”  Even in “allowing it” and accepting it there is an active process of discernment and responding.  Thus, is the response of patience and waiting upon the Lord without an immediate action. 

Many see Christmas Day as the end of Christmas taking down their lights, trees, nativity scenes, etc. and moving onto the ordinary of their life.  In this action we reveal our misunderstanding of Christmas.  The birth of Jesus and the showing up of the Magi with gifts is not the end of the party it is an ongoing celebration and the beginning of our worship of the Child Jesus.  Christmas time was waiting upon the Lord and today we begin a more active response in ordinary time to accept our challenge ahead, seek who we are in Christ.  Jesus reveals his identity with the voice from heaven, “This is my beloved son.”  In baptism we are his beloved sons and daughters.  Our identity is a revelation unto ourselves as we respond to life we discover ourselves in God’s image, “Allow it now.”