I’m reading Bill O’Reilly’s recent book, “Killing .” As you may know, Bill O’Reilly is the popular but somewhat controversial news and political commentator on . He himself is a Catholic, but he writes this book, he claims, as a historical account of the and what leads to the crucifixion. He uses not only the , but also other legitimate historical books of the time. It’s currently #2 on list. I think he gets a couple things wrong regarding interpretation, but I have to admit that I have been fascinated by some of the history of the culture he provides in helping the reader better understand the times and culture in which Jesus lived.

One thing he describes, for example, is the absolute moral depravity of the Roman emperors. They engaged themselves not only in grossly lavish living but also in types of sensual pleasures that are unspeakable. O’Reilly also describes Roman Rule which was harsh, brutal. The Romans were not above killing thousands of people, including innocent women and children to keep their version of order. Rebellion was met swiftly with mass crucifixions, the most brutal and humiliating way to die, perfected by the Romans. We know of kings, like Herod who were puppets of Romans. They lived in lavishness, immorality, superiorly punishing taxes making people destitute while they lived in grand palaces and indulging in ever sensual excess. Herod was responsible for the slaughter of the Holy Innocents.

Jewish people were under this oppression of Roman Rule. It was a dark world – sin, error, oppression, brutality – and from out of this darkness steps the light of the world. We can see the scene in our minds. John baptizing hundreds, maybe even thousands in the Jordan River – a baptism of repentance for those Jews who no longer wish to live in the darkness of sin. And from the midst of this crowd steps forth the light in the darkness, up until this time hidden, living a quiet life in , with His mother, as a carpenter.

In Saint John’s , when Saint sees Jesus come forward, he is stirred by inner knowledge and proclaims “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” In the account of Matthew which we heard in today’s Gospel, the Spirit descends upon Jesus like a dove and a voice is heard from heaven “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Isaiah prophesied of this moment which we heard in the first reading, “I formed you and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon those who live in darkness.” We need to appreciate for a moment the darkness of the world in sin and error before Jesus came and that Jesus truly is the light shining in a world of darkness, a truth which is revealed today in the Lord’s Baptism.

In some way, it may be hard for us to appreciate this because, in spite of all the error and sin which we see in our own day, the darkness of the world was supremely more pervasive before Christ came. Proof: exorcisms  Satan ran rampant over humanity before Christ. We have the blessing of living in the time after Christ. After the time that Christ appeared. In many ways, even in our culture with all its increasing problems, we see Christ’s light continue to shine. But the biggest danger for the Christian is the complacency. The light of Christ must be continually cultivated in our lives and brought from us to the culture. Prayer, sacraments, witness of our lives, study of the Bible: Christ’s light grows. We must guard ourselves always from complacency.

Second, I didn’t mean to suggest that in our day there isn’t a whole lot of darkness out there in the world and even here in our own hearts. Christ wishes still to fulfill this prophecy of Isaiah, to bring light to the dark places of the world and our own lives.

Pope Francis  compassion and understanding for others, but without compromising the truth of Jesus’ teachings. Pope Francis is showing us that the truth of God must be delivered to others by means of compassion and gentleness, and so through our compassion and gentleness the light of Christ might continue to be spread into the darkness of the world.

My friends, Jesus is the light who continues to shine in the darkness of the world, and in our hearts, may this feast of His baptism continue to enlighten us that we might be bearers of His light to the world.

Given by Father Mark Gurtner at Our Lady of Good Hope Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana, on the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord, 2014.