Theophany
Christ makes all things new by Brother Deacon Jerome
John the Baptizer was confused ~ why would the Lamb of God who came to take away
our sins need a baptism of repentance? Jesus didn’t explain, he just asked John
to trust. Allow it
now -- allow the unexpected. Trusting, John was then able to see the great
Theophany or revelation at Jesus’ baptism, turning over people’s expectations.
Today Jesus steps into the water and John baptizes him, but just as much Jesus
“baptizes” the water with the Holy Spirit through his presence in the water.
Jesus makes all water holy through his baptism, just as he
made humanity holy in a more intense way through his incarnation. In the
incarnation, we see that humanity is called to participate in divine life In the
Theophany, we see that water is given a spiritual purpose No longer is
water just necessary for physical life--water is now blessed for giving
spiritual life as well.
This is the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit richly poured out
upon us, making us heirs of eternal life. If all water now is baptized or
blessed for bringing spiritual and physical life, we should be
careful--respectful--of how we use any water. People appreciate water more in
times of drought, but we should appreciate the double gift (physical and
spiritual refreshment) of water at all times, with our eyes of faith. And as we
appreciate all water, we are led to appreciate all of creation and to reflect
carefully that we are using all the gifts of our life, all of creation, with the
awareness that all things can lead people to God.
Like water, we too are blessed for much more than physical life. We are blessed
for communion in the Holy Spirit, what we pray We are blessed not to hoard our
inheritance but to allow our inheritance to grow by sharing this spiritual
banquet with others. We are blessed to be reborn for an unexpected role which is
deepened through
our lives of prayer--both our prayer together at liturgy and the prayer of our
hearts where each us is called to be quiet in and aware of the presence of God.
In this way we live together as the Body of Christ, with the Holy Spirit
descending upon us, open to the unexpected, which in turn demonstrates God’s
love for the world. Demonstrating that love, we too will hear the
Father’s voice say “this is my beloved....” greater praise and joy, carrying His
presence in our life and work.
In our new books, we see some of our familiar hymns are from Psalms, we pray
more Psalms at Communion, and we can also pray Psalms from the prayers before
the Divine Liturgy.
Images from the Great Blessing of the Water - Click to enlarge.
for insistently throughout the Divine Liturgy.
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