The Baptism of the Lord | Sunday 9 January 2022

Today is Sunday the 9 January, the Baptism of the Lord.

The monks of Pluscarden Abbey sing the Benedictus: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel!  He has visited his people and redeemed them. He has raised up for us a mighty saviour in the house of David his servant, as he promised by the lips of holy men, those who were his prophets from of old. A saviour who would free us from our foes, from the hands of all who hate us.

So his love for our ancestors is fulfilled and his holy covenant remembered. He swore to Abraham our father to grant us, that free from fear, and saved from the hands of our foes, we might serve him in holiness and justice all the days of our life in his presence.”

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

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.’

Today as I listen to the baptism of Jesus by John I think about my own baptism, or a commitment to God that I’ve made.

Where did it take place?

Who was with me at that time?

What difference does my baptism or commitment to God make in my life?

In what ways can I tell that the Holy Spirit is dwelling in me?

As I listen again I see myself being baptised or making a commitment to God and I imagine the Holy Spirit coming to live within me. I think about my life being shaped by the Spirit.

In these last moments of prayer, I listen for God whispering to me: ‘You are my child, my beloved; with you I am well pleased.’

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.