Reflection
John the Baptist drew large crowds. People listened to what he had to say and came to him for baptism as a sign that they wanted to change the direction of their lives.
So why did Jesus insist on being baptised by John? Perhaps it was because he, too, was standing on the edge of a turning point – about to move from the quiet life of a carpenter in Nazareth into his true calling as the Christ, sent to reveal the Father.
Today’s Prayer
Preparation: Begin by stilling; then dedicating the time of prayer to God and asking God that all you think, feel and imagine are for the glory of God.
Gift: Ask for what you desire. Suggestion: To know Jesus more clearly, love him more dearly, and follow him more nearly.
Setting: A Scripture reading to ponder – Lectio Divina.
Scripture
Matthew 3:13-17 WEB
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptised by him.
But John would have hindered him, saying, “I need to be baptised by you, and you come to me?
But Jesus, answering, said to him,
“Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfil all righteousness.”
Then John allowed him.
Jesus, when he was baptised, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him.
Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Conversation: Talk to Jesus in your own words as a friend
Final Prayer: End with a formal prayer such as the Lord’s Prayer/Our Father.
Today’s Music
Ut queant laxis – hymn to St John the Baptist:
Lyrics and Translation
Ut queant laxis resonare fibris
Mira gestorum famuli tuorum,
Solve polluti labiis reatum, Sancte Joannes.
Nuntius celso veniens Olympo,
te patri magnum fore nasciturum, nomen,
et vitae seriem gerendae, ordine promit.
Ille promissi dubius superni perdidit promptae modulos loquelae;
sed reformasti genitus peremptae organa vocis.
Ventris obstruso recubans cubili, senseras Regem thalamo manentem:
hinc parens nati, meritis uterque, abdita pandit.
Sit decus Patri, genitaeque Proli et tibi, compar utriusque virtus,
Spiritus semper, Deus unus, omni temporis aevo. Amen
St. John, release the sins of our lips
in order that your servants may be able to relate your wonderful deeds with full resound.
A lofty messenger comes from Olympus,
revealing to your father your impending birth,
your name, your conduct, and the sequence of your life.
That unbelievable heavenly promise set forth in a few words,
when proven true by your birth, restored voice to the voiceless.
Lying darkly cradled in your mother’s womb,
you perceived the King abiding also in his chamber.
Henceforth each set of parents, with hands outstretched, concealed their children’s merits.
Glory be to the Father, and to the begotten Son and to you his comrade, of equal virtue.
One God, for all times, all seasons, all generations.