With whom I am well pleased

SUNDAY 12 JANUARY (Mt 3,13-17)

In the words that the Father makes be heard from heaven there is a clear reference to the prophecy of Isaiah. Not only it is explicitly spoken of the Messiah, what his mission will be towards all peoples and all nations is also revealed in it: “Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, Upon whom I have put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations, Not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, Until he establishes justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait for his teaching. Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spreads out the earth with its crops, Who gives breath to its people and spirit to those who walk on it: I, the Lord, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, To open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness” (Is 42,1-7). The whole mission of the Messiah is from the will of the Father. The Father has written everything for Him. In the Christ of God everything must be most pure obedience. From the Gospels, we know that Jesus always let himself be moved and led by the Holy Spirit. He did nothing by his choice, his determination, his desire and his will. This is why Satan always tempted him: so that Jesus dissociated himself from the will that the Father had on him. If Jesus had fallen even in very small things, he would not have operated salvation. From disobedience even small, very small, never might there be redemption.

In Christ Jesus, Messiah of the Lord, the marriage of humanity with its Lord and God is accomplished. The words of the Father also refer to this further prophecy: “For Zion’s sake I will not be silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, Until her vindication shines forth like the dawn and her victory like a burning torch. Nations shall behold your vindication, and all kings your glory; You shall be called by a new name pronounced by the mouth of the Lord. You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the Lord, a royal diadem held by your God. No more shall men call you “Forsaken,” or your land “Desolate,” But you shall be called “My Delight,” and your land “Espoused.” For the Lord delights in you, and makes your land his spouse. As a young man marries a virgin, your Builder shall marry you; And as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride so shall your God rejoice in you” (Is 62,1-5). From the Book of Revelation we know that this marriage will be eternal in the Heavenly Jerusalem, when the creation of new heavens and new earth will take place. With the marriage in Christ, between man and his God, the mystery of creation is fulfilled. The man who by the will and omnipotent word has come out of the heart of the Father, through the mystery of the incarnation and redemption will live forever in the heart of the Father.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.” Then he allowed him. After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened (for him), and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove (and) coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

In the mystery of Jesus is the truth of the mystery of man. Not only is the mystery of man from the mystery of Christ the Lord, but he is in the mystery, through and with the mystery, forming with him one mystery for eternity. While creation is a fact of divine omnipotence, the redemption and fulfillment of the mystery are by the will of man. The will of the Messiah who surrenders himself to an obedience to the Father until the death by the cross and also the will of man, that, he too, hands himself over to Christ in an obedience to death by a cross. Everything in redemption is from obedience to the Word of Jesus. One obeys the mystery is fulfilled. One does not obey, he remains in death forever.

Mother of God, Angels and Saints ensure that the mystery of Christ Jesus is fulfilled in every man.