Today we remember the Baptism of the Lord. It’s an event that moves the imagination. We can picture Jesus making the journey from Nazareth south east to the Jordan valley, then standing in the crowd listening to John, joining the queue of those lining up for baptism. John recognises him. He’s taken aback. He hesitates. Jesus insists. The rite is performed. Into the river and under the water he goes. And then comes up. And something happens. Three things says St Mark: the sky is torn open, the Spirit appears in the form of a dove, and a voice speaks to Jesus: “You are my Son, the Beloved.” Who saw and heard this we don’t fully know. Jesus, yes; John yes; perhaps some others. This is often how these things are: visible and invisible, inner and outer, factual and mysterious at the same time. In any case, it was an epiphany: a manifestation, a disclosure of who Jesus is. And it marked the beginning of his public life. He did not go home to Nazareth and carpentry. Continue reading