KEEP THE DOORS OF HEAVENS OPEN.

THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD. YEAR B.
January 11, 2009.
(First reading: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7) (Psalm 29: 1-4, 9-10)
(Second reading: Acts 10:34-38) (Gospel reading: Mark 1:7-11)


KEEP THE DOORS
OF HEAVEN OPEN.

"Jesus... was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open" (Mark 1:9, 10).

Through his baptism, Jesus opens the doors of heaven so that God may come to the world.

The baptism of the Lord gives all human beings the opportunity to open the doors of heaven, to bring God to the world.

Jesus opens the heavens by his justice and righteousness.
Just as Jesus is able to open the doors of heaven by his justice and righteousness, so are all who follow Jesus.

The prophet Isaiah announces Jesus as the one who "shall bring forth justice to the nations" (Isaiah 42:1), as the one who shall bring "the victory of justice" (Isaiah 42:6), as the one who is "a light for the nations" (Isaiah 42:6).

Jesus does indeed bring heaven's justice to mankind when he "opens the eyes of the blind, brings out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness" (Isaiah 42:7).

Human beings need to keep the doors of heavens opened.
Once the doors of heaven are opened, it is up to us to keep them opened by continuing the work of salvation initiated by Jesus. God is "well pleased" (Mark 1:11) with all who do so.

The need to keep the doors of heaven open is imperative in a world, like ours, where the darkness of injustice and mutual destruction so deeply afflict humanity. Just like God "proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ" (Acts 10:36), so does Jesus need us to proclaim it to the world today.

Just as we can keep the doors of heaven open, so can we also close them up if we fail to do what Jesus does.

Jesus needs us to continue to go about "doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil" (Acts 10: 38), healing and bringing peace and justice to all.

On the day of the Lord's baptism the doors of heaven were opened; now, by promoting his justice and peace, let us keep them opened.