Now What?

Sunday, 08 January 2012 17:01

Sunday 8th January 2012 (THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST)

Genesis 1.1-5; Acts 19.1-7 and Mark 1.4-11

In the film Finding Nemo Marlin, the father clownfish, is reunited with his son, Nemo who was taken from his home on the Great Barrier Reef and ended up in the fish tank of a Sydney dentist. And they all lived happily ever after. Well, not quite. For, although the main story ended, we soon discover that another story has begun. The fish who had helped Nemo escape from the tank had managed to free themselves, too. While their tank is being cleaned, they manage to roll the plastic bags they're in along the counter, out the window, across the street, and into Sydney Harbour. When the last one finally reaches the water, there is a great cheer and sigh of relief. And then the reality of their situation dawns upon them. Bobbing in the ocean, Bloat, the puffer fish, breaks the silence with the words: "Now what?"

Now what? That could be a question for today. After their journey to the manger, Mary and Joseph have welcomed their son into the world. The heavenly host has sung, the shepherds went to Bethlehem and saw their Messiah. The Magi followed the star, paid their respects, left their gifts, and went home another way. Now what? What good news is there left to be said today, on the other side of Christmas?

For it's at this time every year we realise that, for all of the Christmas fuss, we're still waiting. We're still waiting for Jesus. Here, on the other side of Christmas, we find ourselves living in the same world... On the other side of Christmas we might wonder: "Now what?"

Well, we are living, in what somewhat termed "on the threshold between the numinous and the mundane." We are living somewhere between the holidays and the every days. And if it seems that we have been here before, we have--just five weeks ago.

Today's Gospel reading actually begins in the very same place as the one for the Second Sunday of Advent. Today, we find ourselves right back where we started. Before we know it we hear what John offers: forgiveness for our sins and and being shown the grace of God. Should we expect it to be any different this time around?

Mark gives us our answer. Though these two readings are similar, they are not the same. The Advent reading ends with John's baptism. But here, on the other side of Christmas, Mark keeps going. Just when it seems that the story is over and the credits are beginning to roll, just when it seems that's it, Mark continues and explains Jesus' baptism for us...

"Now what?" we might ask. "Now Jesus!" says Mark.

We need to look at Jesus. The first thing that happened to him after his baptism was that the Spirit whisked him away to be tempted by the devil. Jesus' baptism is an intimate encounter between himself and God. So what did it mean for Jesus? It didn't mean that the Father would keep him out of trouble. He found that out even before he had a chance to dry off! It didn't even mean that things would work out just the way he had planned. No, it seems that what Jesus' baptism meant to him was that when he found himself in trouble, he wouldn't find himself alone. It meant that even when things didn't go his way, he would still have the Father's blessing and the Spirit's company.

And isn't that what his baptism means to us too? Unlike John's baptism, Jesus' baptism means that we are not alone in the wilderness. It means that God's love for us doesn't depend upon us. It means that God's grace doesn't wash off. The baptism of Jesus means that whenever we find ourselves in a hole, we can be sure that in the hole he goes.

When Martin Luther found himself ready to give up, whenever worry for his own life and the life of the Church he loved overwhelmed him, it is said that he would touch his forehead and say to himself: "Remember Martin, you have been baptised." On the other side of Christmas, that sounds like good advice. That sounds like good news.

As we cross this threshold between the holidays and the everydays, let us also touch our foreheads and remember that we have been baptised. Let's remember that Jesus was baptised too. He was baptised with us and for us. Now what? Now let us pause...

Why not give God one very special gift just from you to him: Let this gift be something personal that no one else needs to know about, and let it be a sacrifice. Maybe your gift to God will be to forgiveness, a new beginning, or more time to be with God, how about pausing for a minute during the day to affirm God is with you. You may discover that you've given a gift back to yourself.

Mari Mander