Do any of you remember the TV series “Joan of Arcadia?” Though it was nominated for many awards (and won a few), it lasted for just two seasons (2003-2005) before going off the air. The central character was a typical 16-year old girl, Joan Girardi, who had unusual conversations with a wide range of people all of whom introduced themselves to her as God. They/God gave her tasks that often made no sense to her but ended up helping someone in a very important way.
The theme song of the series was “What if God was one of us?”: “What if God was one of us?” Just a slob like one of us? Just a stranger on the bus tryin’ to make his way home?”
Forgive me if this seems irreverent, but in the beginning of today’s Gospel Jesus appears to be “just a slob like one of us.” The early Church was actually embarrassed by today’s Gospel passage for this very reason. Jesus submitted himself for baptism by John in the Jordan which seemed to portray him as a sinner, just another slob in the Galilean countryside.
Jesus was supposed to be sinless, so why did he respond to John’s call for repentance and request baptism? This question troubled the early Church, and scholars debated the question for centuries. In fact Matthew adds the verse about John attempting to discourage Jesus from being baptized in order to deal with this uneasiness. And Jesus’ words to John indicate that his baptism is a matter of justice—there’s a reason—it’s the right thing to do. God wants it this way. And this, too, is Matthew’s addition in order to reign in the unsettling theological questions Jesus’ baptism raised. He identifies with the slobs along the river, and his ministry begins there.
As Jesus rises out of the water and sees the dove of peace and reconciliation descending upon him, he hears a voice from the heavens saying: “This is my beloved Servant, (not son) on whom my favor rests.” The Hebrew word is “servant” not “son.” “Son” is a Greek translation of the Hebrew.
Matthew identifies Jesus as the ‘suffering servant’ prophesied by Isaiah, the innocent one who will suffer for his people, bring sight to the blind and true justice to the nation. He is God-with-us, Emmanuel. And he is an ordinary human being, just like us. It’s a lot to take in. It was in Matthew’s time, and it is now. Joan of Arcadia was cancelled prematurely! It was a lot to take in!
When Jesus presented himself for baptism, his human nature recognized the portal of grace God was offering the people through John. He was able to see the rightness and truth of God’s design whose gateway was baptism in the river Jordan. He was one of God’s people walking through that door, submitting the whole of his life to following where God led.
He was one of us, “a stranger on the bus tryin’ to make his way home,” following what God asked of him whether it made sense or not.
In his case there was a dramatic confirmation of the rightness of his decision. The heavens opened, God’s Spirit descended, hovered over him and broadcast God’s love for him, God’s pleasure in him. For us—living our values and beliefs to the best of our abilites, thinking that’s what God is asking of us—confirmation of our choices is seldom dramatic, that is IF confirmation happens at all.
Sometimes, like Peter, we are confronted with new situations that challenge what we’ve been taught to believe, challenge our closely held values, our way of living, our ideas, choices and attitudes.
Peter grew up believing God required circumcision as the entryway to inclusion among the Chosen People. There was no other access route, (never mind the exclusion of women in this patriarchal mindset!) Circumcision was the sacrament of initiation, if you will, and the dietary laws were designated by God. Men and women went to their death rather than eat those forbidden foods.
So now here he is, facing Cornelius, a Gentile, uncircumcised, and he sees that the man and his family are fully acceptable to God just as they are. The Spirit is palpably present in his home, his family, his actions. Peter recognizes God has already included them in the family, and offers the Christian sacrament of Baptism. Through Cornelius’ experience God opened Peter’s eyes to the larger truth. Every person is acceptable to God. God shows no partiality.
As a doorway to inclusion among the People of God, baptism was an equalizer. No longer was the sacrament of initiation reserved only for men. Women were also baptized, and they could choose whether or not to be baptized regardless of what their fathers or husbands chose to do. They were spiritually independent, with their own free agency and relationship with God.
This was revolutionary in the Roman Empire. It was counter-cultural. Dangerous. It contributed to the fact that Christianity was viewed as subversive. It led to the persecution and martyrdom of believers. Baptism was a radical act, a statement of inclusivity and gender equality. It was enough to get you killed.
Like Peter you and I are continually invited to examine the beliefs and attitudes we hold that foster exclusion of those who hold different views and live life differently than we do. We are asked to recognize God in one another, to be humble enough to honor and accept the challenge to CHANGE God issues to us through another’s life experience. The words of Isaiah are not meant for Jesus alone. In this inclusive, radically overturned world baptism wrought, they are meant for all of us.
“Here is my Servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one, in whom I delight. I have endowed you with my Spirit that you may bring true justice to the nations.” These words are meant for US.
You and I are called to this work of redemption no less than was Jesus. You and I are chosen. You and I are a delight! You and I are endowed with God’s Spirit that we “may bring true justice to the nations, open the eyes of the blind, free captives from prison and those who live in darkness from the dungeon.”
Often we are not even aware God is working through us in this way. As “servants,” however we are called to participate in God’s great work of justice-making. To be full participants we must first open our own eyes and allow God, through all the “strangers on the bus” to free us from our exclusive prisons, and from the darkness of our own lapses of awareness.
Listen to that voice telling you how deeply and unconditionally you are loved. Believe it. It is the truth of your existence, and mine and that of the person next to you. God shows no partiality. We are all on this bus together through the long, dark night, and we can take comfort in knowing we’re headed toward home.
I loved that show, Joan of Arcadia (and I grew up in Glendale, CA near Arcadia) and the song “If God was one of us!”…this was a very hopeful treatise on baptism as an equalizing event and a wonderful call to action…