Mercy Poured Out

First Sunday after the Epiphany

The Baptism of our Lord

January 13, 2013

Mercy Poured Out

Titus 3:4-7

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

St. Paul was a pastor who traveled and preached to the whole Mediterranean world. His sermons forcefully exposed two keys realities of life.

The first reality is that man wants to be god. You are born deciding what is righteous and what isn't. And time after time what is righteous turns out to be the things you have done. According to your god, you, most everything you do is good and righteous.

This is why St. Paul wrote that you aren't saved because of the righteous things you do (Titus 3:5). For example, the righteous activity of showing up for church doesn't save you. On the other hand, many think that belonging to a church and then only showing up once in a while should be good enough for their god. Judging yourself righteous before Christ based on your church attendance or a lack of it puts you in danger.

But the second reality is what St. Paul joyfully preached: God became a man. Christ came to rescue you from danger. The greatest danger is living in your old way of life where you are the judge of right and wrong. It's dangerous because you'll always end up judging yourself right and others wrong.

So Jesus became a man and saved you because of His mercy. Jesus had poured out mercy on Paul, and this pouring had saved him. Paul rejoiced in this divine mercy in a letter to his friend and fellow pastor Timothy.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:12-17)

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.” Paul's confession is your confession. When you mentally edge away from the “I am the worst” part, that's your inner god or goddess trying to kill you by making you think that you can live on your own righteousness and goodness.

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:4-6)

Look at the action in Paul's inspired words: appeared, saved, and poured out. Jesus Christ does them all. When we show up, we are receiving from Jesus the gift of life eternal. His role is to forgive because of His mercy; your role is to receive His forgiveness.

His mercy led Him down to the River Jordan and to be baptized by John. He switched places with you! He did this so that when God sees you He sees perfect Jesus instead. Because of His mercy poured out on you, He will say of you, His adopted child, “You are My Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22).

In the name of the Father and of the + Son

and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.