Lectionary Gospel Reading for January 12, 2014

Matthew 3:13-17
3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him.
3:14 John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
3:15 But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented.
3:16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.
3:17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."

 Creator, Word, and Love

God complete in three.

 John recognizes that he confronts the Word,

God Incarnate.

John believes he is not worthy to baptize God.

Jesus reassures him with cryptic words.

Jesus chooses to use baptism

To signal his commitment to the Kingdom.

We echo his actions

When we are baptized.

And commit ourselves to the Triune God. 

 Jesus rises from the water

Just as he will rise from the grave.

The Love of God descends on Jesus

Linking Creator and Word with Love.

The Trinity is renewed.

Jesus, the Son of Man,

Has received the blessing of the Creator

Through the Holy Spirit.

That blessing and love will carry him

To Jerusalem,

To Death,

To Resurrection.

Advent For Evangelicals

Christmas approaches
With the burden of tradition.

The city is decorated in holiday glitz.

We search for gifts amid the crowds.
Shouldn't we read the prophet's words?

Shouldn't we search for the Bethlehem babe?

Shouldn't we listen for the angel's message?

"Peace on Earth."

An old tradition calls to us from the past.

We, who abandoned the trappings of the Church,

Are called once more to Advent.

Let us remember
That a child born two thousand years ago

Changed the world.

His message is simple and unadorned.

Love God

And Love your neighbor.
Listen for His words.
"I am come."

Photo by daveiam

Heralds

Rain comes as a herald of spring
Just as John the Baptist came as
The herald of Jesus.
With spring will come renewal,
Flowers and fruits,
Just as the fruits of the Spirit
Come from faith in God.
Thank God for the rains of spring.
Let us remember that the dreary days
The rain brings
Are simply the cover of a book
That once opened,
Reveals the beauty of nature.
Spring reminds us of creation and that
"In the beginning was the Word."

Photo by dozens