Sunday Reflection with Fr Robin Gibbons - 10 January 2021

Theophaneia gymnos

In these days of changing circumstances, when as a result of a Pandemic life has changed immeasurably since we last celebrated this feast of Christ's baptism, our own faith has been put under a microscope, maybe not of our own choosing!

The past ease, and now perhaps we can see it as a luxury, of easy access to church, to Mass, sacraments and all those seasonal liturgical and worship events such as our recent Christmas carolling, exemplified in those beautiful 'Nine Lessons and Carol 'services, so strongly rooted in the English tradition, seem so far away now. Restrictions for safety means our church going is pared down, reduced to bare essentials. We have been blessed by the availability of directly broadcast services from all parts of the world, and many avail themselves of this, becoming part of a virtual community, which has been very welcoming.

This however does not replace the context of a gathering of persons, closely bound together, who week after week assemble to celebrate the liturgy in word, music and silence. Many of us have hardly received the Eucharistic elements this past nine months, some not at all. We miss that sense, no matter how loose, of belonging. Yes churches are open, but for those shielding or far from a parish church under our present restrictions, going there is not a safe option. Has this affected us? I am well aware clergy and bishops have tried hard to draw us together in some ways, there are some excellent Zoom connections out there, and yet in my own mind I sense deeply that this state of affairs is challenging and changing us.

Let us use this feast as a reflection for this challenge. Theologians preach often about the baptism of Jesus as a prototype of our own baptism and faith journey, Mark's gospel which is what we are using in our cycle of readings, gives us the simple facts, the sketchy outline: 'It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."'(Mk 1: 9-11) In this narrative it is Jesus who almost alone seems to see the Spirit descending, as to the heavenly voice, that is left unspoken, but it must have been well understood by a number of witnesses because it becomes part of the theophanies found in the NT. Be that as it may, in our predicament what can this feast do to help us discover and re-engage with our faith in Jesus? Lets have a try shall we?

Firstly, what we are 'enduring' (because it is not something we willingly accept), this deprivation of freedom and basic contact with others, means that ordinary sacramental actions have become removed from us, but only in the context of church building! I would suggest that we can gain a richer, older, and more connected sense of the sacred if we but choose to look, think, experience it in that cradle of faith, our home. On your walks are you rediscovering something often ignored, the beauty, richness of life, the miracle of the birds, animals, seasons themselves, the power of elements such as water? It would seem that many of us are reconnecting with nature.

Secondly, the family, community, friendships so absent to many of us suddenly mean more because we cannot take them for granted. I am much more aware that some people I may never see again, not from my neglect but simply anno domini! So perhaps we are learning that love does not always need a physical proximity to express itself, we are finding ways via the media of really talking, sharing, making friendships count, this if we enter it more deeply, can take us to the heart of being part of that great company of witnesses, understanding more that we belong, are loved and are missed because of that. Suddenly the connection of baptism and the family of Christ starts to tug at us.

This in turn is leading us to use prayer, customs and helpful structures in the huge ancient 'directory' of our faith alive in daily practice, keeping celebrations taking place in our homes.

There is much we can do, taking back the custom of feasting on saints days, particularly our own patrons. Learning how to keep the fast of a contrite heart in Lent. Blessing our homes on Epiphany and on this feast, renewing in our own hearts and lives the baptismal vows made on our behalf. How many of us celebrate the day of our baptism? Maybe you should, but on this feast, light a candle in front of the cross or icon of the Saviour and renew those promises made in baptism, be full of gratitude for all the blessings those who nurtured you in faith gave to you!

There are many things we will find that deepen and strengthen our faith, but most of all it is the incarnation, which enables us in turn to share in divinity, as one of the readings today puts it because of Jesus we are changed:

'This is the one who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ,
not by water alone, but by water and blood.
The Spirit is the one who testifies,
and the Spirit is truth.
So there are three that testify,
the Spirit, the water, and the blood,
and the three are of one accord'.(I Jn 5:7,8)

Yes, in all this, through baptism we are reborn not only of the water of our mother's amniotic fluid, of our life blood keeping us going, but by the Spirit's power who accepting us as humans, joins us through Christ to the One whose divine voice also speaks to us too;' you are all my beloved children'. Happy feast!

Part of a Hymn of St Ephrem the Syrian

(Resp.- Blessed be He Who was baptized that He might baptize you, that you should be absolved from your offenses.)

1. The Spirit came down from on high - and hallowed the waters by His brooding.- In the baptism of John, - He passed by the rest and abode on One:- but now He has descended and abode - on all that are born of the water.

2. Out of all that John baptized - on One it was that the Spirit dwelt:- but now He has flown and come down - that He may dwell on the many - and as each after each comes up - He loves him and abides on him.

3. A marvel it is that surpasses all!- To the water He went down and was baptized.- The seas declared it blessed, - that river wherein You were baptized:- even the waters that were in heaven envied - because they were not worthy to be Your bath.

4. A marvel it is, O my Lord, now also - that while the fountains are full of water - it is the water of baptism - that alone is able to atone. - Mighty is the water in the seas - yet is it too weak for atonement.

5. Your might, O my Lord, if it abides - within the humble it exalts him - like as royalty if it abide - within the desert gives it peace.- Water by Your might has triumphed - over sin, for Life has encompassed it.

6. The sheep exulted when they saw - the hand draw near to baptize them.- Receive, O you sheep, your sealing; enter and be mingled in the flock!- for more than over all the flock - over you rejoice the Watchers today.

7. The Angels and the Watchers rejoice- over that which is born of the Spirit and of water:- they rejoice that by fire and by the Spirit - the corporeal have become spiritual. - The Seraphins who sing Holy rejoice - that they who are made holy have been increased.

8. For lo! The Angels rejoice- over one sinner if he repent:- how much more do they now rejoice- that in all churches and congregations - lo! Baptism is bringing forth - the heavenly from the earthly!

9. The baptized when they come up are sanctified;- the sealed when they go down are pardoned.- They who come up have put on glory - they who go down have cast off sin.- Adam put off his glory in a moment - you have been clothed with glory in a moment.

10. A house that is of dust when it has fallen - by means of water can be renewed:- the body of Adam that was of dust - which had fallen by water has been renewed.- Lo! The priests as builders - afresh renew your bodies.

Poem by St Nikolai Velimirovitch

When the Lord was baptized in the river Jordan;

On that bright day before all the people,

The Heavens on high became wide open,

And the angels drew near to the water.

At once St. John was filled with fear

On feeling the Heavens breathing so near.

The Spirit Almighty as a dove descended,

To rest on Christ, God's Son beloved.

In this way God sanctified the waters,

And when the Lord rose up from it,

A strange voice was heard from Heaven:

"This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.

Listen to what He will tell you about Me.

Obey Him so that you can find joy in Me.

Obey Him so that you can crush every devil,

And be received as my sons in Heaven."

Dear brothers we were baptized also;

Sanctified by the Spirit Almighty

And, in Christ's army we are called to fight,

And in eternity to glorify His love and might.

When the Lord was baptized in the river Jordan;

On that bright day before all the people,

The heavens on high became wide open,

And the angels drew near to the water.

Fr Robin is an Eastern Rite Catholic Chaplain for Melkites in the UK. He is also an Ecumenical Canon of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford. You can follow him on Twitter: @RobinGibbons2