Sunday, January 10, 2021

The lectionary passages for Baptism of the Lord are:

First Reading: Genesis 1:1-5
Psalm 29:1-11
Second Reading: Acts 19:1-7
Gospel: Mark 1:4-11

The liturgical color for the day is: White

This was a moment of equipment!  At his baptism, Jesus was equipped for his ministry of reconciliation which would lead him to the cross and beyond the tomb which could not hold him.

That moment of baptism was a moment of equipment as the Holy Spirit descended upon him.  There is a wonderful symbolism here.  The Spirit descends on Jesus as a dove would descend.  From the very beginning—the picture of the Spirit is likened to a dove as the picture of gentleness.  Jesus will conquer, but the conquest will the conquest of love.

The Spirit would empower Jesus with the good news of the kingdom of God as a kingdom of love and truth and goodness and justice.

Equipment.  Oh, we often think that we do not have the right stuff it takes to make it.  We think we just do not have the right equipment to grow and develop in our faithfulness, or to lead the people of God in these difficult times for the church and world.  We think we don’t have what it takes.  Whenever we listen to that message we are not listening to the Spirit of God.

We have what it takes.  We have more than what we need.  We can make it. 

The Holy Spirit of the Creating, Redeeming, and Sustaining God gives us all that we need.

We have the equipment—we ARE the equipment. 

The Holy Spirit has equipped you with all you need to grow fully in Christ and lead Christ’s Church.  The Holy Spirit has equipped you with all you need for this day, and this week, and this life!

Rev. Dr. Daris Bultena
General Presbyter and Stated Clerk