+JMJ
Now the People were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah. John answered them all saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of His sandals. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire.
After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, 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 beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
-Luke 3:15-16; 21-22
After meditating on the baptism of our Lord, I am filled with joyful expectation of what the Lord has planned for me this coming year. What I believe to be something similar to the expectation that filled the people mentioned in the scripture passage above. A joyful anticipation, a firm avowal, a prospective future, and a patient confidence.
They were putting this expectation in the wrong place, which John quickly rectified, humbling himself, and proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah. I am truly blessed to know where this expectation is to be placed, and the great gifts of the Spirit that come from placing this confidence in the Lord.
After Jesus had been baptized, He stood praying. I wonder for what exactly? His mission? His purpose? An Affirmation?
Jesus was completely God, and also completely Man. Being completely God, He knew exactly what His mission was here and had no need for an affirmation. But the affirmation descended in the form of a dove. Not for His sake but for ours.
The Spirit affirmed His purpose and anointed Him as the Messiah to our eyes. Making this affirmation of even greater importance to us, the people.
Anointed
Anointed means: to consecrate or make sacred; dedicate to the service of God.
Anointing is God’s blessing on a person, which empowers them to accomplish His plan for them. Anointing is typically associated with oil, such as during the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. But anointing was also performed on kings, prophets, and priests, so signify and consecrate their purpose to God. A King as a just ruler, a Prophet as a teacher, and a Priest as a mediator.
In this passage, Jesus is not anointed with oil, but with the Holy Spirit. He is consecrated and dedicated to the service of God and goes on to begin His ministry of spreading the Good News and to set us free from sin.
My Contemplation
As I sat meditating on His anointing, His purpose, His baptism, He touched me in this contemplation.
I am standing on the shore of the Jordan, dripping wet having been baptized by John. I watch as Jesus enters the water and is dunked below the surface. He comes up out of the water arms outstretched and I hear a roll of thunder from the clear blue sky. The clouds begin to swirl above Him darkening the earth. Another roll of thunder splits the clouds and a single radiant beam of light descends upon Him.
Then a dove floats down from the clouds above, descending like delicate snow. Jesus stands arms outstretched to heaven above and there is a bright flash of light as the dove comes to rest on our Lord’s head. The sky rumbles and words penetrate the air with a clap, “You are my beloved Son; with You I am well pleased.”
He strides out of the water and He is so radiantly beautiful I can’t help but drop to my knees before Him. He reaches out and places His entire palm on the top of my head and showers me in the bright light of the Spirit.
Anointed for a Purpose
As I think back over my life I can see the ways the Lord has anointed and affirmed me. Anointing me into the Catholic Church as a baby, anointing me at my Confirmation, anointing me as a wife, and anointing me as a prayer facilitator.
They definitely are not as blatant as the heavens opening up, the Spirit descended like a dove upon me, and a voice speaking from the heavens, but still just as meaningful and powerful.
God has anointed each of us for a purpose. His complete plan for me may not be fully revealed, but some of the pieces are falling into place. We need only ask Him to reveal it to us, and to affirm it in our hearts! We need to be quiet, patient, and listen for the Spirit to speak!
Since we have just begun a New Year, I challenge you to sit and meditate on what the Lord has anointed you to do. I think it would be a wonderful resolution!
Renewal of Baptismal Promises
We typically renew our Baptismal Promises on Easter, but I was really moved to do it after this contemplation.
I want to affirm to the Lord my faith in Him by professing it in the Baptismal Promises. I also want to remind myself of my true purpose. That is to do everything, For the Greater Glory of God with the sole intention of reaching heaven!
I am blessed to have a bottle of Epiphany Water on hand, so I renewed my Baptismal Promises and crossed myself with Epiphany Water! If you are able to acquire some Holy Water for this I highly suggest it!
Recite this simple set of Baptismal Promises and then cross yourself with Holy Water!
V. Do you reject Satan?
R. I do.
V. And all his works?
R. I do.
V. And all his empty promises?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
R. I do.
V. God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit and forgiven all our sins. May He also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ forever and ever.
R. Amen.
Thrive in Jesus, my Friends!
What do you feel you have been anointed for? What affirmations has the Lord given you concerning your purpose? How can you affirm to the Lord your dedication faith and trust?