Matthew 3: 13-17
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented.
And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
You Come to Me?
“I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” YOU of all people, YOU come to ME, of all people? Facing Christ, we can easily imagine ourselves saying the same thing as John … but also Zechariah, Elizabeth, even Mary or Joseph, Simeon and Anna. YOU, Lord, coming to ME? But the answer is and always will be “Yes.” Emmanuel, God with us – you and me. “How can God become human – it’s not logical” say my Muslim colleagues here, and I agree. But for God, logic isn’t king; love is. And in this season especially, we celebrate how God’s love was big enough to join us; this is our faith! In the annunciation, the visitation, and now baptism, each humbled human becomes an overflowing container for God’s glory and we’re called to the same: “Yes, Lord… you do come to me.” Let that wash over you.
—Fr. Garrett Gundlach, SJ, is a Jesuit priest based at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Jerusalem and serving diverse local communities.
Prayer
Loving God, Great One,
I come to you each day in silly, simple prayer
but I hardly know how to respond
when you come to me.
How could I?
You, the very greatness
for which I prepare my heart,
come to me,
without even my call or invite-
by your own accord
by your own desire and love
for me.
I am not worthy, but I know
the whole reason why you’ve come
is to convince me
is to show me
that I am.
What can I say but amen?
—Fr. Garrett Gundlach, SJ
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