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Sunday Reflection with Fr Robin Gibbons - 10th January 2016


The Baptism of the Lord - January 10th 2016

This great feast, which the East celebrates on January 6th, is called the Theophany, that is the manifestation or appearance of God. Though the immediate focus is on the baptism of the Lord Jesus, quite rightly this title refers to the appearance of the Trinity, for above all, the baptism of Jesus reveals Him as he is, true God and true human, second person of the Trinity.

I'm going to use the traditional Byzantine Icon of the Baptism to help us grasp some of the theological and spiritual treasures in this feast, not for any other purpose than to shed light on our own sacramental journey of Initiation!

In the Gospel accounts certain key images appear, the river itself, John the Baptist, the central figure of Jesus, the voice from heaven of the Father and the Spirit descending in bodily form 'like a dove'. They are all there in the icon but positioned to tell their own story.

Firstly John, standing on the left of Christ, is shown in an aspect of reverent worship, almost the reverse of many western paintings which place Jesus in a subservient position to the Baptizer, no here Christ is central reminding us that John is decreasing so that God-in-Christ may increase throughout the earth. Nearby a little tree is shown with an axe at its roots hinting at the bad fruit that will be 'rooted out' but pointing to the good fruit that we receive and also become when we receive the gift and grace of Baptism and Confirmation.

Jesus is central, filling the Jordan itself, he is naked, portrayed in the classically beautiful human form, he wears a white cloth around his waist, symbol of sacrifice but also a hint at our renewed life when we are 'clothed in Him'! He stares at us, inviting us to come to Him and his hands are not placed in prayer but blessing, for it is He who cleanses and makes Holy the Water of Baptism. On his right are the Angels who will receive and clothe Him. Above Him is the light and presence of God with the symbol of the Holy Spirit descending on Him.

Just gaze at the Icon, let it speak to you of your baptism too, how you through Christ are now part of God's life and blessed and made holy, sealed and confirmed by the Spirit who descended on you, and remember that we too are called the beloved Children of God!

Theophany Poem of Sophronios Patriarch of Jerusalem

Today the Master hastens towards baptism so as to raise humankind to the heights. Today He Who bends to none, bows before His own servant, so as to free us from bondage. Today heaven has been deeded to us, for of the Lord's kingdom there shall be no end. Today the earth and the sky have divided the world's joy, and the world is filled with gladness.

Fr Robin Gibbons is an Eastern Rite Chaplain for the Melkite Greek Catholics in Britain

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