Conference 2: Testing

The significance of the baptism of Jesus should not be underestimated. Jesus presents himself, just like any other human being, to be baptised by John the Baptist. 

It is a Trinitarian moment of great significance for Jesus – and for us:

Jesus himself is present. The Holy Spirit is present in the imagery of the dove. The voice of the Father is heard with clarity.

Jesus identifies himself with sinful humanity. He identifies himself with us. Most consoling. 

What do we make of the Dove?

Reminiscent, perhaps, of the beginning of creation (Genesis)? Maybe a reference to the Dove returning after the flood in Noah’s time?

Is it a reference to the Song of Songs?

Arise, my love, my lovely one, and come away,

Oh my Dove, in the cliffs of the rock, in the covert of the cliff (Song of Songs 2:13-14).

The Song of Songs is a poem about the love between the Beloved and Lover. The Lover is in continual search for the Beloved, seems to find and embrace him, but the Beloved ‘slips through her fingers’ repeatedly, proving to be continually elusive.

St. John of the Cross (1542-1591), thrown into a dungeon cell by his religious brothers, wrote a poem based on the Song of Songs. He eventually escaped and took refuge in a convent of Carmelite religious sisters.

He was asked to write a commentary on his poem. The poem and the commentary became known as the Spiritual Canticle – a poetic triumph, a spiritual classic.

John understands the significance of the symbolic imagery of the Song of Songs.

According to our rich spiritual tradition, marital love between husband and wife is not only derived from the love of Christ for humanity but is also directed to it.

And so our baptism helps us to understand and experience the unprecedented love of Jesus Christ – the love between Beloved and Lover.

The Dove descends and then we hear the voice of the Father say, not only to Jesus but to each one of us as we emerge from the baptismal waters, ‘You are my beloved son, You are my beloved daughter.’

What a moment this is.

Take some time in ‘body, soul and spirit’ and experience this profound truth:

‘I am deeply loved by the Father – I am his son; I am his daughter.’

Ruth Burrows confronts and challenges:

The deepest reason why so few of us are saints is because we will not let God love us (Guidelines for Mystical Prayer 1976, 83).

From the springboard of God’s love, we move to the temptations or testing of Jesus.

What happens to Jesus in the wilderness? What is the devil up to in inviting Jesus to consider certain propositions? Jesus is being invited to the ‘false self.’

The testing of Jesus is in three areas (Matthew 4:1-11) and as we enter into these temptations we realise that what is true for Jesus is true for us:

1. We are tested and tempted to identify with what we do. 

2. We are tested and tempted to identify with what people think of us.

3. We are tested and tempted to identify with possessions, whether they be wealth, thoughts or ambitions.

Can we be honest at this moment? Can we let truth speak? For the truth about ourselves is probably the most difficult truth to face.

Can we admit that we do get caught up in the fallacy that ‘what we do is who we are;’ that ‘what people think of us is more important than how God sees us;’ that ‘what we have assures our security and identity.’

The devil wants to move us away from a reliance on, and trust in, the baptismal grace we have received whereby we experience the love of God. 

We must admit that at times he is quite successful in his intent.

Amen.

Q. Can we identify moments when we have experienced the love of God in a personal way?

Q. When have we have been tested in such a way as to experience a loss of our true selves?