The Baptism of the Lord
In Luke's Gospel, we witness Jesus's baptism in the Jordan River. The heavens open, and the Spirit descends like a dove, with a voice from heaven declaring, "You are my Son, the Beloved; in you I am well pleased." This moment marks the beginning of Jesus's public ministry.
John’s baptisms were not Christian, clearly; they were baptisms of repentance. The living waters of the River Jordan washed away sin as the candidates repented, and they were made anew in God and for God.
With the Passion of Christ at Easter, baptism becomes something else: a participation in His Death and Resurrection. Yet, Jesus must be baptised himself first. John has an extremely important role, and the baptism he offers leads the way for the Saviour.
On this day, we may recall our own baptisms and confirmations. My baptism was amongst a small gathering of my close friends and family. The principal of my school, Father Sweeney, a clever Irish priest, baptised me. I had a strong sense of being made clean, and the weight of my sin left me. I genuinely felt ‘new’. It was one of the most profound moments of my life.
Baptism changes everything – who we are, and what we do from then on. Aquinas spoke of baptism as “an indelible mark or seal.”
Unlike our sins, baptism becomes our identity. We are all sons and daughters of God, and we are precious to Him.
Today's readings: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 Psalm 103 Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7 Luke 3 15-16, 21-22
Source: The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
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