Impelled by the Spirit

01-10-2021Weekly Reflection

The Baptism of the Lord is full of mystery and meaning. Jesus Christ a carpenter’s son is the awaited Messiah, the Son of God the Father, the Holy Servant of God who is the perfect instrument to accomplish the plan of God for Salvation. Through the Son, Jesus, the Holy Spirit restfully, the sevenfold fullness as foreseen by the prophets. (Is. 11:13) Fully invested by the Spirit He will accomplish the role of the Messiah and Savior of the world, in gentleness and love, symbolized by a dove (and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him). The Spirit of God symbolized loving kindness, mercy, and compassion.

Driven and inspired by the Spirit, the ministry of the Messiah will be characterized by understanding and compassion to the people of God, stained by original sin, and injured by repeated offenses. Growing up with Joseph, a carpenter: Jesus learned his trade well enough to understand those who had to work hard to support their family. The Messiah will not isolate himself from His people but will live among them. He will smell like His flock and will extend fellowship to both the devout and the sinners alike. Jesus did not feel any contempt touching the lepers, associates with prostitutes, tax collectors, and other known public sinners. He prayed like the rest of the Jews but prayed in total communion with the Father. Jesus prayed before teaching and preaching. Before making decisions like choosing the 12 Apostles. He went around doing good works, preaching and teaching about the Kingdom of God and fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: Then the eyes of the blind shall see, and the ears of the deaf be opened; Then the lame shall leap like a stag and the mute tongue sing for joy. (Is. 35: 5-6) Jesus did not hesitate to step into the water of Jordan and be baptized by John, thus classifying Himself with the common man, but was spotless and an unblemished Lamb of God. He wants to fully integrate Himself with humanity, incarnate, taking upon Himself the burdens of the offenses of men, and to cleanse them of their sins. By being baptized, Jesus sanctified the material element of water to make it a regenerative womb of rebirth in Christian Baptism. All who are baptized are reborn in God, cleansed and purified of all defilement, and receive the Holy Spirit into their hearts, to move them to the same goal as that of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Impelled by the Spirit, Jesus will at once conquer the greatest enemy of man. He will defeat all the temptations of Satan with the Spirit of the Love of the Father. Jesus the Messiah will do the work of the Father, the wonders of His hands, establish the Kingdom of God, and layout the seed of the Gospel message, and in the end, offer Himself as the total oblation and ransom for the sins of humanity. Full of the Spirit, Jesus will establish the Reign of God in the hearts of men.

Having received the same Spirit in baptism, we are all undergoing full renewal in the Spirit of Jesus Christ. I baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. (Mk. 1:8) May the same Spirit impel all the baptized and everyone who let themselves be opened to Him.