THE date at which the Fore-runner of our Redeemer
took up his office is indicated by the mention of the ruler of the Roman State
and of those of the Judæan regions. John came to preach him who was to bring
redemption to some of the Jews and many of the Gentiles; and therefore, his
preaching is dated by the mention of the Gentile ruler and the governors of the
Jews. This description of territories and dominions indicates that the Gentiles
were going to be gathered together, and the Jews scattered because of their
guilt and treachery. One ruler of the Roman State is mentioned, and the kingdom
of the Jews is described as split up into four with rulers over each part.
BY the voice of our Redeemer it is said: Every
kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation. It is clear that the
end of the kingdom of the Jews is at hand, when it is divided and subject to so
many rulers. Fittingly the names of the high priests as well as of the rulers
are given; he whom John the Baptist preached was both the King and the High
Priest who was to come; S. Luke the Evangelist fixes the date of his preaching
by both rulers and priests.
AND he came into all the country about Jordan,
preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. It is clear from
all the versions that John actually baptized, as well as preaching the baptism
of repentance. Yet his baptism was not able to remit sins; the remission of
sins is given us only through the baptism of Christ. Notice how it is expressed:
preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. The baptism that
he preached gave the absolution from sins which he himself was not able to
give. Just as in the word of his preaching there was the forerunning of the
Incarnate Word of the Father, so, in his baptism that could not absolve sins
lay the antecedent of that baptism of repentance which did give absolution.
COLLECT
O GOD, who seest that we are afflicted through our
own perverseness: mercifully grant that we may be comforted by thy visitation.
Who with God . . . livest.
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