Baptism of the Lord
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 and Isaiah 43: 1-7
Year C
In Dorianne Laux’s poem, “Dust” someone speaks words of truth to the poet in the quiet of the night. She recognizes the significance of the message, but she can’t get herself up to write it down. In the morning, the truth has turned to dust.
That’s how it is sometimes —
God comes to your window,
and you’re just too tired to open it.
On this Baptism of the Lord Sunday, we remember the truth of baptism, that we are claimed and called by God. Many churches will include a ritual of remembrance in worship, pouring pitchers of water into baptismal fonts, or joyfully splashing the unsuspecting front pews, reminding us of God’s promise in Isaiah (43:1-2): “I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” We are not alone. God is at our window whispering words of truth. Will we listen?
In his commentary on Luke’s Gospel, Fred Craddock highlights how Jesus was praying as he was baptized (v. 21). Only Luke adds this note to Jesus’ baptism story. Jesus’ prayer life is very important to Luke, who often describes him wandering off to a quiet spot, especially at critical moments such as the choosing of the twelve disciples (6:12), before asking the disciples who he is to the people (9:18), or on the mountain before the transfiguration (9:28-29).
“Jesus was praying,” Luke writes, rarely adding any dialogue to these scenes. Perhaps this was the gospel writer’s way of emphasizing the importance of listening in prayer. Had he been too tired, or distracted, Jesus would not have heard the voice declaring the truth of his existence: “You are my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
Luke continues this emphasis on prayer in the Book of Acts. The early Christians “constantly devoted themselves to prayer” (Acts 1:14) before the Holy Spirit arrived at Pentecost. According to Craddock, these prayer events were not just aspects of the historical record for Luke but stories of witness: God’s Spirit is available to us when we pray.
We could all use some practice when it comes to listening. In a culture that prioritizes doing over being, action over stillness, sitting for wordless prayer may feel pointless. Once, while teaching a church class on centering prayer (a spiritual practice with the simple goal of attending to or centering ourselves on the presence of God), a woman raised her hand to ask, in exasperation, “I don’t get it. What is it we are supposed to be doing? What is the point?”
I understand the drive to always be doing. But I also crave the quiet. I have a nook set up in the corner of my walk-in closet with pillows, a candle and prayer beads at the ready. I don’t sit there as often as I should, but its presence reminds me of my need to sit still and listen.
Sometimes I sit in my nook when I am angry, only to realize that, truthfully, I am hurt. I sit when I am frantic, only to realize that I am running scared, truthfully afraid of rejection. I sit when I am righteous and certain, only to realize that I am in the wrong. I sit when I am walled up and hard, only to recognize the truth and authenticity that comes with tenderness.
There is so much to hear if we stop to listen. Luke calls us to this centering practice, and reminds us that God’s Spirit is available, whispering at our window, truths to hear and write down before they turn to dust.
Questions for reflection for Baptism of the Lord
- What does baptism mean to you?
- How do you practice listening to God? How could you strengthen your practice?
- What truths have you discovered when you finally stopped to listen?
View the corresponding Order of Worship for Baptism of the Lord.
