The Holy Gospel Reading for the Baptism of our Lord: Year C
Luke 3: 15 -17 and 21- 22:
“Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:21 and 22)
It seems God was talking directly to Jesus. Could it be heard by those there? God’s voice came as conversation with Jesus who was praying. Often missed in the Gospel is how much Jesus prayed. This version of Jesus’ Baptism suggests that the Baptism was done and then Jesus begin to pray and at that point the heavens opened and the Son of God pronouncement came from God.
Prayer, in particular prayers of thanksgiving, are so important. Nobody likes to be taken for granted, including God. For whatever reason most of have learned to pray for a future desired outcome. We are able to see very far into the future of how we would like things to turn out. Our future prayers include a prayer as simple as grace before a meal or a good night’s sleep. More distant prayers are said for the healing of someone or for help for us in a serious situation.
Then we wait and in God’s time help will come in only the way God wants it to. We may not recognize it as an act of God but it is. I remember the old story told long ago. It goes like this: A little town was being flooded and everybody evacuated except for the town preacher. As the water level rose the preacher’s church began to take on water. The old preacher finally climbed to the top of the steeple. At last a man in a boat came to his rescue. But the preacher denied the assistance proclaiming that God was going to save him. Later, another man in a boat came but the preacher would not get into the boat saying that God was going to save him. Lastly a helicopter came but the old preacher still refused. He was finally overcome and drowned. He was taken to the pearly gates and standing before God almighty. He asked, “Good Lord, I have preached in Your Church for over 47 years. Why did you not save me? God said, I sent you two boats and a helicopter, why did you not let yourself be saved?
For most of us when we receive blessings and are very much aware that we have been so blessed. What we need to think about is thanking God for that blessing. I like to let loose a “Thank You Jesus” when I know a blessing has just happened. I knew a service member that I served with who had the habit of saying the grace both before, and after the meal. Most of us say grace before the meal only. This man said that he looks back and is thankful for what he has just received.
In our church tradition we give thanks and specific prayers for events that just happened. For example; after baptism there is the “We receive you into the household of God…prayer. And after, communion there is the Post communion prayer. Let us not take God for granted, When God has done something, or just been present with you in your life and you know it to be so, pause and give thanks, and you too will realize that the heavens are opened to you.
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
Let us pray:
Grant, O Lord, that all who are baptized into the death of Jesus Christ your Son may live in the power of his resurrection and look for him to come again in glory; who lives and reigns now and for ever. Amen. (BCP p.306)
onewhoponders 