Lk 3:15-16, 21-22
A woman waked up one morning and told her husband, "I just dreamed that you gave me a diamond necklace for our anniversary today. What do you think it means?"
"You’ll know tonight," he said enigmatically.
That evening, he came home with a little package which he gave to his wife: "Happy anniversary, dear!"
She opened it with gusto, heart all aflutter, and inside was … a book entitled, The Meaning of Dreams!
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Some of the things we do surely make no sense! Today's gospel seems to be one of those moments. Jesus, the Son of God, who had no sins to be washed away, stood in line behind a whole crowd of sinners and waited his turn to be baptized! He didn’t need it, and John didn’t want to do it, but they did it. What was going on?
In fact, something terrifically important. In a deliberate act, Jesus was declaring His undying solidarity with us, His grasping of the hand of every struggling human being who would ever live, and His determination never to let go: "I understand the fears and troubles that you face, and your frustrations as you falter while trying so hard to do what’s right. I am one with you, and I’ll never turn away. I’ll stand by you just as I’m standing with you here in this River Jordan. Together we’re going to make a life for you that is right and true."
Jesus was no impartial observer. He was fully invested in us, in our today and in all our tomorrows. The core of His gift to us was more than just talk. It was the whole of his life. He showed us, hour by hour, what a truly good life looks like. Its power is magnetic and life-changing! If you look closely at Jesus’ life, you’ll find yourself saying, "It’s so right! I want to be like that and live like that!" And in return you’ll hear Him say, "Yes, it is right, and you can live like this."
It’s what we were all made for: To live as Jesus did, and thus to find the peace that Jesus had, peace that lasts, even through the darkest hours. Such a life can be ours if we carry Him in our hearts and keep our eyes on Him always.
Don’t waste another day walking alone, bearing burdens too heavy for anyone to carry alone. He knows all about heavy burdens, and He can help you with yours. That’s what He came to do, and that’s why He’ll be here, side by side with us, to the very end.
