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. (more…)