The feast of the Epiphany is coming quickly. This year I’m appreciating the connection with the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. We’ve rediscovered this old blessing of Holy Water which is offered on the vigil of the feast. I think we were momentarily distracted by the power of the exorcism associated with the blessing that we lost sight of the reason for the water to begin with. The Baptism of the Lord is, in the East, the great Theophany. Why do they get such a kick out of it? The real shame is our own not-knowing why we ourselves get no kick out of it. We could hardly be bothered by the Lord’s baptism. Is it that we’re partied out by now? It could be. That too would be a real shame. We’re celebrating without knowing why. If we keep it up, at this rate Christmas itself will become a bore for us. It’s not good. We bless the water and distribute it as a reminder that we share in the baptism which was instituted by Jesus Christ, with everything that implies. God shines in the Lord’s Baptism, the Spirit descends. The Father’s voice is heard. The Son receives in this world the glory he deserves.
