The First Sunday after the Epiphany: The Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ

Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 29, Acts 10:34-43, Matthew 3:13-17

Human beings are embarrassed because we are attached to our own notions of rank, order and decorum, and God, frankly, has other ideas and plans. John would have prevented Jesus from being baptized, but Jesus responded: no, "this is how we fulfill all righteousness." What God in Christ commends to us is not the exultation of stature, but service. Putting on the garments of baptism, together we can do and be a new thing to the glory of God, and for the good of all creation.