Word to the Wise
Saturday, January 6, 2024 - Jan. 6 - Bl. André Bessette, religious
[ and ,777]When Jesus began his ministry he was about thirty years of age. He was the son, as was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli, etc. [Luke] It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, "You are my beloved Son: with you I am well pleased." [Mark]
JANUARY 6 CHRISTMAS/EPIPHANY WEEKDAY
Even though the Magi haven't arrived yet, liturgically, we are brought out of holiday euphoria into the adult world of Jesus' ministry and the important people who helped to inaugurate it. There are two alternate gospel scriptures for today that highlight this. The one from the Gospel According to Luke responds to a question that MIddle Eastern folk would ask. Who are his people? Who were his ancestors? Luke traces Jesus' ancestry right back to God!!! [Contrast with Matthew who only goes back as far as Abraham]. The alternate gospel scripture from the Gospel According to Mark begins with Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordan River with the revelation of Jesus' as the "Beloved Son." We will hear similar words at the moment of the Transfiguration later on in the gospels.
It is an abrupt shift. One is tempted to ask, "Wait a minute! What about Jesus the toddler, the adolescent, etc.?" There are apocryphal sources that claim to tell us about this, but Christian tradition has not attached any importance to them, no matter how curious we might be about that "hidden life." It may be that God determined that we should "cut to the chase" after the Magi managed to leave. At least the Gospel According to Luke takes us as far as Jesus the 12 year old who gets lost in the crowd and winds up in the temple.
Christmas/Epiphany will fade fast. The tree is out on the curb (or up in the attic) and the decorations are packed away. The manger scene is back in a box. This Sunday we celebrate the Magi and on Monday we celebrate the baptism of Jesus by John. Lent is just a little over a month away!!! It's a fast liturgical ride. Hang on! AMEN