Epiphany I- The Baptism of our Lord- Matthew 3:13-17

This First Sunday after the feast of Epiphany has long been associated with the Baptism of our Lord (Matthew 3:13-17). By coming to John to be baptized, Jesus fulfilled all righteousness. Although sinless, our incarnate Lord expressed His solidarity with sinful human beings who all need cleansing. He also received a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit as He began His public ministry. And the heavenly voice acknowledged Him as the Son of God. This moment is a unique manifestation or epiphany of the divine glory in Christ. It also points to His whole public ministry and work for human salvation.

Because of Christ's uniqueness, there are certainly historical and theological differences between His Baptism by John and the later institution of Christian Baptism. Yet, in part, the Baptism of our Lord is also a model for us. He underwent Baptism to point to the human need for the washing of regeneration. Although He was pure, He identified with us sinners who need to be cleansed. Although He was already in unity with the Spirit, we need to be strengthened by fresh outpourings of the Holy Spirit. While He was eternally the Son of God by nature, we need to be adopted as children of God. We also need to notice that Baptism is a beginning of ministry. All those who have been baptized into Christ are called to continue the ministry that Christ started in this world.

The Name of Jesus- January 1

The first of January has been associated with several liturgical observances over the history of the Church. Originally, this eighth day of Christmas marked the end of Christmas week. From the 500's onward, some Western Europeans commemorated the Circumcision and Naming of Jesus on this day. (By the way, January 1 was not observed as New Year's Day in many parts of Europe between the fall of Rome and early modern times.) 

Stressing Christ's circumcision fits in with the reality of the Incarnation. Jesus of Nazareth, God the Son, was a real Jewish male who humbled Himself, continued the covenant with Abraham and came to fulfill all righteousness. 

Stressing the name of Jesus is also appropriate. One finds this emphasis on the name in the traditional lessons. In the second reading from Philippians 2:9, we read, "God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow..." In the Gospel from St. Luke 2:21 , we read that at the circumcision the child "was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb."  Of course, Jesus, (Greek IESOU, Aramaic YESHUA, Hebrew YOSHUA,) was a common Jewish name, and more importantly, it means "The LORD saves."

In the case of this holy child, the common name takes on special significance. For this child born in Bethlehem is the Lord Himself come to save His people. And Christ's work to accomplish the heavenly Father's plan for human salvation is what gives Him a name above every name. What better way for us to begin the New Year than by praising His holy name and giving thanks for the salvation that has come in the Christ Child!