EPIPHANY SERMON BY SAINT MAXIME OF TURIN
The mysteries of the Lord’s baptism
The Gospel reports that the Lord went to the Jordan to be baptized, and that he wanted to be consecrated in this river to the celestial mysteries. ~
In fact, it’s fitting that after the day of the Savior’s birth – many years later, but at the same time – comes this feast, which in my opinion should also be called the feast of his nativity.
Born then for mankind, he is reborn today in the sacraments. Then, he was brought into the world by the Virgin, today he has been begotten by the mystery. ~ There, when he was born into our humanity, his mother Mary warmed him in her womb; here, when he is begotten according to the mystery, God the Father welcomes him with his word. For he says: This is my Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him . His Mother, giving birth to him, tenderly caresses him on her breast, the Father supports him with an affectionate testimony; his Mother presents him to the adoration of the Magi, the Father manifests him to the nations so that they may venerate him. ~
The Lord Jesus came to baptism, and he wanted his most holy body to be washed by water.
Someone might say, “He who is Holy, why did he want to be baptized?” Listen then. Christ is baptized not to be sanctified by water, but to sanctify water himself, and to purify the waters he touches with his purity. Christ’s consecration is indeed the fundamental consecration of the element.
When the Savior is washed, it is then that the water is entirely purified in advance for our baptism; the source is purified so that, from now on, the grace of baptism can be administered to the peoples to come. Christ thus received baptism in advance, so that Christian peoples could follow in his footsteps with confidence.
I understand the mystery: for this is how the Pillar of Fire came first through the Red Sea, so that the sons of Israel would follow in its footsteps with fearlessness. It crossed the waters first, to prepare the way for those who would come after it. This, says the Apostle, was a mystery prefiguring baptism. Yes, it was like baptism, when the cloud covered the men and the water carried them.
But it was Christ the Lord who made it all happen. It was he who preceded the sons of Israel across the sea in the pillar of fire. In the same way, it is he who, through his baptism, precedes the Christian peoples in his own body. He is, I would say, that pillar which then presented its light to the eyes of those who followed him, and which now offers light to the hearts of believers. Then, he offered a solid path through the waters; now, in baptism, he strengthens the steps of faith.
Response
R/ God’s love is poured into our hearts
by the Holy Spirit.
The nations will know that I am the Lord
when my holiness shines upon you.
I will cleanse you from all your sins;
the nations will know: I am the Lord.
I will give you a new heart,
I will put a new spirit within you.
I will put my Spirit within you,
and you will walk in my statutes.
Oraison
Almighty God, you signified by a star that a Savior had been born for the world; keep your light in our hearts so that we may enter further into this mystery.
