Day 154: The Baptism of Jesus

Mark 1:1-3 These first words of Mark unequivocally identify Jesus as the Son of God and as the Messiah foretold by the prophets. Christ is the “good news” (Gospel) sent from God the Father since it is through his Passion, Death, and Resurrection (the “Paschal Mystery”) we are redeemed. This Good News is entrusted to the Church to be announced to all people. (CCC 422, 515, 571, 763)

Ch 1:4-8 John the Baptist is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy of the preacher in the wilderness, calling people to prepare the way for their Savior (cf. Is 40:3). John is considered the last and greatest of the prophets. John’s austere life of prayer and penance made him a strong witness to the Lord’s coming. John, however, considered himself unworthy even to be associated with the Messiah. Although John’s baptism was one “of repentance” rather than sacramental, it called people to conversion and pointed to the definitive Baptism from Christ, which would forgive sin through the Holy Spirit. (CCC 523, 719-720)

Ch 1:6 John’s clothing reminds us of the prophet Elijah, who wore a garment of haircloth and a girdle of leather. The prophet Malachi had foretold that Elijah would return to announce the arrival of the Savior (cf. Mal 4:1-5). Christ identified Elijah as John the Baptist in the sense that the “spirit” of Elijah rested upon him. (CCC 719)

Ch 1:9-11 God entered into the world through the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, God the Son, Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. The baptism of Christ was the first explicit manifestation of the Blessed Trinity: the physical presence of the Son, the voice of the Father, and the Holy Spirit represented by the dove. (CCC 151, 422)

Ch 1:11-13 The temptation of Christ is reminiscent of the temptations of Adam and Eve among the wild beasts in the garden and of the Israelites, who wandered in the desert for forty years. Christ, however, as the New Adam and founder of the New Israel, i.e., the Church, was perfectly faithful and obedient to the will of the Father and overcame the temptations of Satan. (CCC 538-539)

Ch 1:12-13 We find angels throughout the Old Testament preparing and assisting to carry out God’s plan. Throughout his earthly ministry, angels surrounded Christ, serving him and adoring him; at the end of time, they will be with him as they announce his Second Coming and the Last Judgement. (CCC 333, 351)

Ch 1:14-20  Repent and believe in the Gospel: The Greek metanoia means a profound conversion of heart. This grace of conversion and the capacity for holiness is conferred to the faithful in Baptism. The Apostles’ prompt acceptance and unconditional response to the call of Christ exemplifies the proper dispositions to embrace discipleship. Repentance is not reserved for only the beginning of the Christian life but must be a CONSTANT DISPOSITION throughout each day of our lives. Lent is a special time to elicit conversion through prayer and penance. (CCC 541, 1422-1423, 1427)

Ch 1:17 Follow me: These words indicate the nature of their calling to win others for Christ. The Apostles were called to preach in the name of Christ with the aim of bringing the Gospel to all people. The call of Christ to discipleship is direct and personal. (CCC 787)

Ch 1:21-22 On the sabbath he entered the synagogue: Although he was accused of breaking the law of the Sabbath (especially the Sabbath prohibition of work), Christ not only observed the Mosaic Law but elevated it to its fullest meaning. (CCC 2173)

Ch 1:23-28 Teachers of the Mosaic Law would invoke the authority of another well-known teacher, and Jewish exorcists would cast out demons on another’s authority. Christ, however, taught with his own authority (cf. Mk 1:22) and cast out spirits in his own name (cf. Mk 1:27). (CCC 438)

An EXORCISM is an act of the Church in which she authoritatively and publicly asks God, in the name of Jesus, to cast out an evil spirit from the dominion of a person or an object and to protect that person or object from the power of the Devil. Christ performed exorcisms as a part of his healing ministry. A “minor exorcism” is prayed within the Rite of Baptism, whereas a more solemn exorcism can be performed only by a bishop or by a priest designated by his bishop (cf. ClC 1171) (ClC is Latin for “Codex luris Canonici'' which means Code of Canon Law for the Latin Rite. For Eastern Rites of the Church it is CCEO which is abbreviated Latin for “Corpus Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium” 🤯). (CCC 1673)

Ch 1:29-39 Christ identifies himself with those who suffer, and his healing work was an extension of his love and mercy.

A lonely place: Christ often sought out private spaces for solitude and prayer. The Church invites us to do the same, to set aside time within the routine of each day for private prayer, meditation, and public worship. (CCC 2602, 2616, 2698)

Ch 1:35 By his example Christ taught us how to pray. He frequently spent time alone in prayer, especially before important events in his ministry. (CCC 520)

Ch 1:40-41 Christ often healed by his touch; today he continues to offer us his healing “touch” through his Sacraments. In the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, the bishop or priest anoints the sick person with oil on the forehead and hands, saying, “May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up.” (CCC 1504-1505, 2616)

Ch 2:1-12 At that time it was commonly believed that illness or disability was the result of sin, either by the individual who suffered or by his family. Correcting this misperception, Christ taught us the redemptive power of suffering, which, united to his Passion, becomes a path for conversion and holiness. The story also confirms Christ’s divinity. Since only God can forgive sins and only God can instantaneously heal a paralytic, Christ’s healing of the paralytic proved his divine authority to forgive sins. There are two kinds of illnesses-spiritual and physical- which are addressed in the two Sacraments of Healing: Penance and Reconciliation and the Anointing of the Sick. Note that unlike the leper in the last chapter, the “prayer” for the paralytic is expressed silently in the actions of his bearers, who demonstrate faith by their persistence. (CCC 1421, 1502-1503, 2616)

Ch 2:5 Seeing the faith of those who had brought the paralytic to him, Christ offered his forgiveness. Likewise, parents and godparents bring a child to the Sacrament of Baptism, which cleanses the infant of both Original Sin and actual sin. In words similar to those addressed to the paralytic, Christ forgives us through the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation today: “I absolve you from your sins…” Personal, private confession is the norm for reconciling ourselves with God and the Church for sins committed after Baptism. (CCC 1441, 1484)

Ch 2:7 By claiming to forgive sins, Christ put himself on a par with God. This claim prompted some of the Jewish authorities to accuse him of blasphemy. Blasphemy and false prophecy were serious crimes under the Mosaic Law; they called for the perpetrator to be stoned to death. (CCC 430, 574, 589, 1441)

Ch 2:8 Perceiving in his spirit...within themselves: Christ knows the hidden thoughts and intentions of human beings. (CCC 473)

Ch 2:13-17 Tax collectors were Jews hired by the Romans to exact tribute from the people. They were loathed for cooperating with the Romans and had a reputation for being dishonest. For these reasons, observant Jews would have no dealings with them. Christ welcomed sinners since, as the divine physician, his mission was to take away their infirmity of sin and to bestow upon them everlasting life. (CCC 574, 545, 1484, 1503)

Ch 2:15-17 In contrast to the Pharisees who looked down on and separated themselves from sinners, Christ actively sought them out. Just as a physician is called to heal the sick, he came to heal sinners. (CCC 1503)

Ch 2:19 Bridegroom: To describe his total gift of self to every member of the Church, Christ used the image of the spousal love a groom has for his bride, which, in this metaphor, is the Church.

Fasting: Christ did not condemn the practice of fasting here; rather, he stressed that his disciples should be joyful that he was present among them in the flesh. Catholics fast in preparation for Holy Communion and in Lent, preceding the celebration of the Resurrection on Easter. Canon law requires, as a minimum, a one-hour fast before RECEIVING Holy Communion and fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. (CCC 796)

Ch 2:23-28 Christ instructed the Pharisees on the full meaning of the law of the Sabbath, affirming that honoring God includes serving the needs of the person. (CCC 582)

Psalm 11 This psalm elaborates on the apparent lack of interest by God raised in Psalm 10. Some people doubt that God exists; others concede that there is a God but that he is uninterested in human affairs. Nevertheless, this psalm professes that God is not indifferent to right and wrong but is quite attentive to every human act, thought, and desire. He wills what is good and, though the forces of evil may seem to have the upper hand, ultimately God’s justice and mercy will prevail without detracting from the free will of his people. In fact, God’s will is accomplished in conjunction with the exercise of human freedom; his justice will ultimately be exercised at the Final Judgement. In the meantime, we trust in God and seek to be righteous in his eyes. (Cf. St. John Paul II, General Audience, January 24, 2004)

In the Lord I take refuge: From verse 4, it becomes clear that the psalmist was taking refuge in the Temple, the house of God, where he will find protection, comfort, and justice, The psalm is attributed to David and may represent a time when he was fleeing from his enemies. 

Behold his face: To see the face of God in this context means to have direct access to him for it is in the vision and beatitude of God that we find our greatest fulfillment and happiness. The just seek his face, while the wicked try to hide from him. (CCC 163, 314, 2548, 2595) 

(*The Didache Bible RSV-CE Ignatius Edition, 2006)

• The Gospel of Mark is the shortest Gospel

• Mark, Matthew, and Luke are known as the SYNOPTIC GOSPELS

• The Gospel of John is completely unique when compared to the other three

• Scholars have pointed out that the Gospel of Mark is probably the basis or foundation for the Gospels of Matthew and Luke

• Matthew and Luke MUST HAVE used Mark as one of their templates to tell their story about Jesus’ life

• So The Gospel of Mark is the O.G. (For our international brothers and sisters, O.G. is American slang for “original gangsta” which is a funny way to say “the original” or “the first” 😁)

• When it comes to contrasting Mark’s Gospel with John’s Gospel is that John had LOTS OF EXPOSITION

• The Gospel of Mark is ALL ACTION

• There is very little dialogue when compared to John

• Mark’s favorite word is IMMEDIATELY and is one of its hallmarks

• Mark is bringing us into the reality, presence, and immediacy of WHO JESUS IS, and WHAT JESUS IS DOING

• Keep your eyes and ears open for that quickness

• Mark also goes back and forth between past tense and present tense on a regular basis

• One example is the leper who was made clean

• Mark’s technique is to show us that this is a Gospel THAT IS HAPPENING NOW

• Mark is reminding us of the fact that while Jesus lived in the past and did all this in the past, JESUS LIVES NOW AND FOREVER AND HE ACTS IN THE PRESENT AS WELL

• The modern translations don’t tend to alternate between past tense and present tense so be aware of that

• So who is Mark?

• The general consensus is that the Gospel of Mark is the Gospel of St. Peter, the Apostle

• Why?

• Because Mark travelled with Peter

• As Peter was preaching around all of the Middle East and Rome, Mark is hearing the good news according to Peter

• He is hearing the story of Peter

• So we typically believe that Mark’s Gospel is Peter’s experience of the Gospel

• Mark is repeating what he heard Peter preaching again and again and again

• Mark’s Jewish name was John

• He was also a travel companion of St. Paul

• At some point, some drama went down between Mark and Paul

• Mark wanted to go home from his missionary journey and there was a bit of a falling out between Paul and Barnabas because of it

• This was a bit of a letdown for Paul 

• When they went out again, Mark wanted to go with them, Barnabas took Mark’s side because they may have been related so Paul and Barnabas had a bit of a falling out

• Paul was maybe a bit miffed that Mark bailed on them earlier

• The reality is that when you are on a mission, not everyone around you is perfect

• This is really important

• When we get to Acts of the Apostles, quite a few days from now, we will hear this story and hear about the reality 

• When we are following after Christ, we can be surrounded by people of good will yet are TOUGH TO LOVE

• Maybe I am tough to love

• Maybe YOU are tough to love

• And sometimes we can have conflict

• So Paul, Barnabas, and Mark had CONFLICT

• But the GREAT NEWS was that Paul, Barnabas, and Mark also had RECONCILIATION

• THIS IS SO GOOD

• WHAT A GIFT

• It is also believed that Mark is possibly the son of the woman who owned the UPPER ROOM, where they celebrated the Last Supper and where the disciples gathered after the Lord’s Crucifixion and Resurrection

• Even Pentecost happened in the Upper Room

• That’s a great connection Mark would have had with the early Church

• As Mark is writing this, he was writing during the persecution of Nero

• The reality is HERE IS WHAT IT IS TO BE A DISCIPLE

• We hear Jesus call on the FIRST DISCIPLES to be FISHERS OF MEN

• They were also called to PICK UP THEIR CROSS WITH THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND TRUST IN HIM

• They were told to NOT LOSE HEART IN THE FACE OF REAL SUFFERING AND REAL, TRUE, GENUINE OPPRESSION

• Mark is writing this Gospel to these PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS under the Emperor Nero

• So Mark doesn’t waste any time, does he?

• He just jumps right in and goes for it

• From the very start of the Gospel, BAM here is John the Baptist appearing in the wilderness

• The word IMMEDIATELY is so prevalent

• Mark Ch 1 we have the Baptism of Jesus

• So why did Jesus get baptized?

• There was no reason for Jesus to get baptized

• John the Baptist was offering up a baptism of REPENTANCE

• Jesus didn’t need to repent of anything!!

• SO WOW HOW NOW WOW HOW NOW BROWN COW??

• One of the things we recognize is that where JESUS LEADS THE WAY, WE ARE ALL CALLED TO FOLLOW

• The waters did not make Jesus holy

• But Jesus made the WATERS holy!!

• Jesus wasn’t baptized because HE needed it

• When Jesus was baptized, HE BROUGHT THE HOLINESS

• So remember back in Leviticus if something was unclean and it touched something clean, the UNCLEAN thing made the CLEAN thing UNCLEAN 

• UNCLEAN touching CLEAN makes the CLEAN thing UNCLEAN

• Confused?

• Jesus is going to REVERSE THIS

• Jesus encounters a leper

• What happens?

• Before Jesus, when you touched a leper, you became UNCLEAN

• NOW…

• The opposite happens when JESUS TOUCHES THE LEPER

• Instead of the UNCLEAN leper making Jesus UNCLEAN

• Jesus, the CLEAN ONE, the HOLY ONE, He touches the leper and he extends his CLEANNESS, RIGHTEOUSNESS, WHOLENESS, and HEALING to the leper

• This is also what happens in Jesus’ baptism

• Jesus is NOT being PURIFIED by the water

• But Jesus is SANCTIFYING the water by HIS PRESENCE

• When it comes to Jesus’ baptism, Jesus came out of the water, IMMEDIATELY he saw the heavens opened up and the Spirit descending upon him like a dove

• The word used “opened” is actually “TORN” and it means the heavens are TORN ASUNDER

• This is IMPORTANT

• At the end of the Gospel in Mark Ch 15, when Jesus is crucified and he hands over His Spirit, the veil in the Temple is TORN from top to bottom

• It is the SAME GREEK WORD

• When Jesus was baptized, the heavens were TORN OPEN

• When Jesus was crucified, the veil in the Temple was TORN OPEN

• This is SO POWERFUL

• Here is the BEGINNING and the END of Christ’s ministry on Earth

• NOT ONLY THIS...

• A voice came from Heaven saying, “You are my beloved Son, and with you I am well pleased.”

• This is a great verse to pray with

• Here is the voice of the FATHER who speaks over His BELOVED SON and says, “You are my beloved Son and with you I am well pleased.”

• There is something SO POWERFUL about this

• To realize that the Father speaks over Jesus, the Son

• If you have been baptized, you have been made a SON OR DAUGHTER OF GOD

• So God the Father also SPEAKS OVER YOU

• What does He say to Jesus?

• He basically says, “I’M PROUD OF YOU!”

• He CLAIMS HIM

• YOU ARE MINE

• This is what God the Father does AT EVERY. SINGLE. BAPTISM.

• This is what God the Father does EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. YOU APPROACH HIM IN PRAYER.

• God the Father declares OVER YOU the words He declares over JESUS

• YOU ARE MINE

• I AM PROUD OF YOU

• That is worth reflecting and praying about

• This is worth ALLOWING God the Father to say that to you, YES YOU!!!

• It is always important to remember that GOD LOVES YOU

• It is something else to remember that GOD IS PROUD OF YOU

• THAT IS POWERFUL

• Speaking of power, what happens next?

• The spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness where he was tempted by Satan

• Jesus was in the wilderness for 40 days tempted by Satan and surrounded by wild beasts

• At Jesus’ baptism, the Holy Spirit descends upon Him like a dove

• Immediately after Jesus is anointed through baptism, HE IS THE MESSIAH, which means ANOINTED ONE

• They were waiting for the NEW ANOINTED ONE, the NEW DAVID

• David is the prototype (TYPOLOGY!!) for the TRUE ANOINTED ONE, THE ETERNAL ANOINTED ONE, THE GREAT MESSIAH, JESUS CHRIST

• But what is the role of the anointed one?

• REMEMBER that David is anointed to FIGHT FOR HIS PEOPLE AS KING

• And that is EXACTLY WHAT JESUS DOES

• Jesus is ANOINTED by the Holy Spirit descending upon Him

• Jesus is CLAIMED by God the Father who says He is PROUD OF HIM

• IMMEDIATELY the Holy Spirit drives Jesus out to the wilderness to BATTLE SATAN

• Then Jesus gathers the first disciples and KEEPS BATTLING

• He does EXORCISMS

• To have a BIBLICAL worldview, we do see things that the Bible tells us that reality is

• This world is under SLAVERY TO SATAN (or haven’t you noticed yet? 🤔)

• Jesus came NOT JUST TO TEACH

• Jesus came NOT JUST TO HEAL

• Jesus came NOT JUST TO PREACH

• Jesus came to SAVE US

• Jesus came to DELIVER US

• Jesus came to FIGHT AGAINST THE EVIL ONE

• Scripture calls Satan the STRONG MAN WHO HAS BOUND US

• Jesus BINDS UP THE STRONG MAN

• This is EXACTLY what Jesus does RIGHT AWAY

• Jesus is the ANOINTED ONE

• Jesus is KING

• Jesus is THE MESSIAH

• What does Jesus do?

• IMMEDIATELY JESUS FIGHTS AGAINST WHAT FIGHTS AGAINST US

• Yes there is healing of PHYSICAL ILLS

• Yes there is healing of MENTAL ILLNESS

• Yes there is FIGHTING AGAINST DEMONIC OPPRESSION

• This is ABSOLUTELY IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US TO REALIZE THIS

• The Biblical worldview is that the WORLD IS UNDER BONDAGE TO THE DEVIL

• BUT JESUS CHRIST HAS COME TO SET US FREE

• So we can either BELONG TO THE KINGDOM OF DARKNESS THAT REMAINS IN BONDAGE

• OR…

• We can be TRANSFERRED TO THE KINGDOM OF LIGHT THAT BELONGS TO JESUS

• So in Mark Ch 2 it says Jesus heals the paralytic

• The four friends who have one friend who is paralyzed 

• They lower him through the roof of the house (I have no idea who Chip and Joanna Gaines are 🤔)

• What does Jesus do?

• He says, “Your sins are forgiven.”

• Jesus sees the faith of the four friends

• Do you know what that means?

• SOMEONE ELSE’S FAITH IS ENOUGH FOR JESUS TO HEAL THE PERSON WHO NEEDS HEALING 

• IT WAS THEIR FAITH THAT SPOKE FOR THE ONE WHO WAS PARALYZED!!!

• In the Catholic Church we baptize infants who are not able to express faith on their own

• But because of what happens in Mark Ch 2, it was the faith OF THE FRIENDS that spoke on behalf of the man who was paralyzed

• So in BAPTISM, we have the faith of the PARENTS and the faith of the GODPARENTS that speaks on behalf of the one to be baptised

• IS YOUR MIND SUFFICIENTLY BLOWN NOW? 🤯

• ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?? 😉

• (Now, whenever someone asks you as a Catholic why we baptize infants, you can answer!! ✊🏾)

• So that is one of the reasons we believe it is VITAL and ESSENTIAL to get baptized AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

• Even if this infant does not have faith ON THEIR OWN, it is the faith of the PARENTS and GODPARENTS that gets to speak for them

• Just like the faith of the FRIENDS spoke for the paralyzed man

• When Jesus says, “Child your sins are forgiven.” some of the Jewish scribes say this is BLASPHEMY

• Who but God can forgive sins?

• This is one of the FIRST CLAIMS WE HAVE IN THE GOSPELS of Jesus’ TRUE DIVINITY

• This is one of the first places that Jesus CLAIMS TO BE GOD

• Jesus is saying, “I can do only what God can do. And to prove that I can do what only God can do, rise, pick up your mat and walk.”

• WHOA!!

• Jesus gives him FULL AND COMPLETE HEALING

• This demonstrates that JESUS IS WHO HE SAYS HE IS

• Jesus is CLAIMING TO BE GOD

• And then Jesus PROVES that he ACTUALLY IS GOD

• THIS IS BONKERS

• THIS IS AMAZING

• THIS IS SO SO GOOD

• SQUIRREL!!!!!

• We have 7 more days of this, so ENJOY THIS!!

• WE HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR THESE GOSPELS

• PRAY FOR EACH OTHER

• PRAY FOR FR. MIKE

Prayer by Fr. Mike: “Father in Heaven we give you praise and glory. Thank you so much. Gosh Lord, thank you so much for revealing your Son to us. Thank you for giving your Son to us. You so loved the world that you gave your only Son, that all who believe in Him might not perish but might have eternal life. And so we thank you and we give you praise. Thank you for these next seven days. Thank you for this day where we just get to hear the words of the Gospel writer, Mark. Thank you so much for giving to us the good news, the opportunity to hear this good news. So please receive our praise. Help us to be converted. Call us to be your disciples, to follow after you with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love you with everything we are and everything we have. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”