Come Holy Spirit, Come Heavenly Dove

AM Psalm 38 • PM Psalm 119:25-48
Exod. 19:16-25 • Col. 1:15-23 • Matt. 3:13-17

Today’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew tells the story of the baptism of Jesus. The details of the story are relatively straightforward: Jesus comes to John the Baptist and asks John to baptize him. John demurs, opining that Jesus should baptize him instead. Jesus counters: “It is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness,” and then John consents. As Jesus emerges from the water, Jesus sees “heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’”

Scholars think the Gospel of Matthew was written about 70 C.E., around 40 years after Christ’s crucifixion, by St. Matthew the Evangelist, one of the original 12 disciples. While it goes beyond the scope of this reflection—and my limited ken—to speculate about the historical accuracy of Matthew’s account, it is possible that the author of this gospel was actually present at this event. And that possibility raises other questions: Did something “like a dove” actually descend and light on Jesus, signaling that Jesus was indeed God’s own son? Did anyone see this happen except Jesus?

I’d like to argue that the answer to those questions is “it doesn’t matter.” First of all, modern scholars generally concur that the gospels are not historical but instead are theological documents—advertisements, if you will, for the lives and beliefs of those who follow “the way.” What’s more, authors of both old and new testament books employ the image of a dove to signal the inspiration—literally, the “breathing in”—of God’s presence through the Holy Spirit. Recall, for example, in the Noah narrative that it was a dove that brought back the olive branch, signaling that Noah’s ark could return to dry land. So, whether a dove actually descended and landed on Jesus or not, the Evangelist’s invocation of “the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting” on Jesus is perfectly in sync with holy scripture.

And what an appropriate image it is. Doves exist in nurturing families. Both parents care for the babies, and both sexes are capable of creating a substance called crop milk, which feeds their fledglings after they hatch.

When the opportunity arises, open your hymnal to number 510, and read through the lovely lyrics, written by the famous hymnist Isaac Watts. Here’s the first verse: Come, Holy Spirit, Heav'nly Dove, with all thy quick'ning pow'rs; kindle a flame of sacred love In these cold hearts of ours.”

Written by David Jolliffe

At St. Paul’s, David sings in the choir, helps to coordinate the Tippy McMichael Lecture Series, and assists with community meals.