Homily for the Baptism of Jesus: January 13, 2008

Given by the Most Reverend Stephen E. Blaire at the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Stockton.

In the Orthodox Churches the Feast of the Epiphany, which we celebrated last Sunday, concentrates on the baptism of Jesus. They call the Epiphany the Theophany or manifestation of God to the world as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. As Jesus comes out of the waters the Holy Spirit descends upon him like a dove and a voice from heaven says “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” For us the Epiphany focuses on the manifestation of Jesus as coming from God as a savior for all peoples, symbolized in the magi. We celebrate the baptism of Jesus today in its own liturgical feast.

Jesus goes down into the waters to demonstrate his identity with sinful humanity which is in need of the cleansing waters of baptism. Jesus has not entered into the pure and righteous but into a humanity which needs the grace of redemption and healing. What a consolation for us and a great truth of encouragement in our faith! When Jesus comes out of the waters he begins his public ministry. We can call His baptism the inauguration of his public life. And his whole ministry is to do the will of His Father in heaven, just as we are called to follow Jesus and do the will of God in our lives. His final baptism will be his death and burial and resurrection to new and eternal life.

The Baptism of Jesus reveals that Christ has come FOR US, FOR OUR SALVATION, FOR OUR WELL BEING, FOR OUR REDEMPTION. We do not have to be perfect before God dwells within us. All we have to do is acknowledge our sins, turn to God and try to live as God wants us to live. God as our Father wants what is good for us. Jesus wants us to share in his divinity as he shares in our humanity. The great truth of Christianity is that by faith in Christ and through the waters of baptism we become God. As Jesus is the natural Son of God, we are the sons and daughters of God by the grace of adoption. When we sin we leave home but God as a loving Father always waits for us to return. Most of us were baptized as infants but there must be a time in our lives when we embrace our baptism seriously. For some there can be a dramatic or significant moment of conversion or deeper conversion. For others it is an ongoing matter of daily conversion. For myself, it seems to be a daily turning to God, what one might call ongoing conversion and deepening of faith. The Holy Spirit works in different ways in different people and we can never judge what goes on in the hearts and souls of others.

Today I am please to install your new pastor, Father Hector Villegas. He officially comes out of the waters to be anointed by the Holy Spirit as he begins his public ministry in St. Joachim’s parish. That is to say that as an ordained priest he comes from among the baptized faithful to hold the office of Pastor for the good of the people of this parish. He has been sent here to serve God by preaching the word of God which leads to faith, by celebrating the sacraments of the church, especially the Holy Eucharist, which sanctify the people, and by exercising a pastoral ministry of charity which brings pastoral care and healing to all. He is entrusted with the spiritual leadership of this parish so that all might draw closer to Christ and carry out the will of God in their daily lives and in the world. I ask you to receive him, to pray for him, to support him and to work with him to carry on the work of Christ in this community.

Last Update January 14, 2008