He is our Identity

Twentieth Sunday of the Year. Fr Richard Conrad considers how we share in Christ’s invocation of the Holy Spirit.

Today we hear Jesus clarify who he is not, and who he is. His disciples trusted he fulfilled the prophetic words in Scripture, and the events and personages that prefigured him. This body of prophecies is so complex it’s not surprising Jesus fulfilled them in unexpected ways. He is the Word who governs all things with a providence beyond comprehension; the prophecies fall into place once they’re seen in Jesus’ light.

Seven weeks ago, we heard Jesus ask the Twelve who people thought he was. They reported some said he was the Baptist, risen from the dead. Others said he was Jeremiah – perhaps they’d picked up Jesus’ hints that he, too, would be martyred. Peter recognised Jesus as the Messiah, David’s Anointed Son – but couldn’t easily accept that this King would win victory through his death.

When people asked John the Baptist who he was, he said he was neither the Messiah, nor the promised Prophet-like-Moses – implying Jesus is both. Like Moses, Jesus did provide miraculous food. More deeply, he is the New Manna, food for the journey. When Jesus gave a New Law on a mountain, he was the Divine Law-Giver; the Twelve, like Moses, were to hand on Jesus’ Law. While Moses died before the people entered the Promised Land, Jesus, our Pioneer, leads us through death to our home in God’s own bliss.

John the Baptist also said he wasn’t Elijah. Zechariah no doubt told John Gabriel had predicted he’d go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah. The first Elisha went after Elijah in his spirit and power; maybe John thought he was a new Elisha who’d go before the new Elijah. Malachi predicted the first Elijah – who called down destructive fire – would return to usher in the Day that would burn up evildoers – and John predicted Jesus would burn up the chaff.

Jesus’ words today could be understood as: ‘I came to cast fire on the earth – and what do I care whether it is now kindled?’ Meaning: ‘You have the impression I’m Elijah come to burn up evil doers. That is not my purpose.’ When Jesus said he would bring division – a surprising thing for the Prince of Peace to say! – he again implied he wasn’t Elijah-come-back, for Malachi had prophesied Elijah would reconcile parents and children.

There’s a deeper sense to Jesus’ words: ‘I came to cast Fire on the earth – and how I wish it were already kindled!’ The Baptist spoke inspired words when he said Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. He supposed they meant: immerse people in the searing Breath of Judgment; he was puzzled when Jesus didn’t do that. But Jesus didn’t only say who he wasn’t; he gradually disclosed who he is. He is his Father’s Personal Word; in God’s eternal life, the Spirit flows forth through him. Jesus came to do as man what he does as God, came to express his Father’s mercy, came with this purpose: that through his Sacrifice, the Holy Spirit would flow forth into the world.

The Spirit is Fire – Fire who purges and cleanses; does not destroy, but gives life and light. He is the Divine Love in Person, who fires us with love of God and neighbour. He does judge – but by immersing us in the Love he is, so that we recognise, and reach beyond, our failings in love.

So of course the Spirit urgently drew Jesus towards his Baptism – his Martyrdom. That gesture of love and loyalty beyond comprehension, was the fitting ‘channel’ for the Gift of the Spirit.

The Baptist was more than a Prophet – yet it was Jesus who identified John’s role as the New Elijah. It was Jesus who assigned the Twelve and their successors Moses’ role of handing on his Law. Jesus assigns each of us our identity in his Body; while time lasts, he may not reveal fully what parts we play in his providence.

More deeply, Jesus is our identity. Sacramentally, we’ve shared his Baptism and Anointing; in the Eucharist, we repeatedly enter into his Sacrifice. Many Christians share Jesus’ Martyrdom more literally, for the Good News can provoke division! When we do face opposition, our share in Jesus’ identity means sharing his prayer for the persecutors. So we share his role of calling down the Spirit to purge and enlighten them. Always, we are called to share in Jesus’ surprising Victory, in which sacrificial love will finally prove divinely stronger than all forces of destruction and division.

Readings: Jeremiah 38:4-6,8-10 | Hebrews 12:1-4 | Luke 12:49-53