Is 42:1-4, 6-7 or Is 55:1-11 or Acts 10:34-38 or 1 Jn 5:1-9
The Baptism of Jesus
Brethren, today we celebrate the feast day of the Baptism of Jesus. The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord concludes the Christmas Season and transitions us into the beginning of Ordinary Time I up to Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, an invitation to move and act with Jesus in his public ministry. From a Scriptural point of view, this event in Jesus’ life is also a transitional moment from His hidden life in Nazareth to the beginning of His public ministry. As we commemorate this glorious event, it’s important to ponder on some simple yet profound questions: why was Jesus baptized? Recall that John’s baptism was one of repentance, an act by which he invited his followers to turn away from sin and to turn to God. But Jesus was sinless, so what was the reason for His Baptism? What is the significance of his baptism to me? What is the invitation to me on this day of Jesus' Baptism?
Brethren, the scripture, says that Jesus was baptized to fulfil righteousness (Matthew 3:15). What is this righteousness? It's God's righteousness of saving humanity from all bonds of sin. God is so righteous (faithful) that he sent his only Son Jesus to save humanity by becoming one of them in every aspect except sin. Jesus was thus baptised to identify himself with us sinners while he was not a sinner. It was out of his humility and love to save humanity. It was a gesture that Jesus was entering fully into the condition of all humanity. Only a person who had tasted humanity in all its aspects except sin would save humanity. It was therefore for our sake that Jesus Christ was baptised. At the outset of his ministry, he must show this, for only so could he redeem the fallen human race. Jesus is not merely passive, for he himself joins with John in making the positive step: ‘We must do all that righteousness demands.'
Jesus' Baptism commenced his public ministry, it was an inauguration of the ministry of Jesus as he was anointed by the Holy Spirit who was to help him throughout his ministry and even continue the mission after his ascension. The Spirit descended on him like a dove as he rose up from the water and later led him to the desert for preparing his ministry. Brethren, we too, at Baptism, receive the same Spirit who enables us to participate in the mission of Jesus. On this feast day, are you ready to move with Jesus throughout his public life pondering on his teachings and miracles and applying them to your life and in serving others?
Then the voice came down from heaven. In Mark (today's gospel) the Voice from heaven is addressed to Jesus himself, and there is no sign that others heard it; it is an experience of Jesus: ‘You are my Son’. In Matthew the Voice is addressed to the bystanders: ‘This is my Son’. This makes the private revelation into a public scene, a declaration that Jesus’ work is about to begin. This was a confirmation of the divinity of Jesus, it was not that Jesus was adopted as a son at his baptism, as many heresies in early centuries taught, but it was a confirmation to the public that Jesus is God's son who existed with him from the beginning. The significance of this is very fundamental to us as Christians. In the same way our baptism is a public scene, a declaration that we are committed to Christ in his Church – even if we don’t remember it! More still, God is also well pleased with his Son because Jesus freely accepted to come into the world to save humanity.
When Jesus heard the Voice from heaven and he experienced the Spirit of God coming upon him, he must immediately have thought of the passage from Isaiah in the first reading. He was, then, this mysterious Servant of the Lord about whom the scripture spoke. He was to bring Israel back to the Lord. He must have known that the Servant was to suffer and to reach his fulfilment only through bitter suffering and death for others. This realisation must have been with him throughout his ministry, a dark shadow and a challenge to service. Therefore, the word “Beloved” comes with suffering. Jesus himself later says that there is another baptism he had to undergo (Luke 12:50) and that was a baptism of blood (one of the witnesses which John talks about in today's alternative first reading). But since, that voice was also a confirmation of the love of the Father who was ‘well pleased’ in him, he could not be afraid of anything. This is then to be the model for all Christian suffering. We all know someone – we may even have experienced it ourselves – who has to suffer lovingly and generously in caring for others. The awesome privilege of suffering after the model of the Servant who is Jesus must draw respect and comfort for those who serve in this way. It is a confirmation of God’s love for them. Let sufferings not stop us from serving and loving God and others, it is part of our Christian journey.
When we are baptised, we also promise and declare to ourselves and others to undergo both Baptisms. Jesus' Baptism in water gave water new life and blessed it that us who will be baptized may gain adoption as children of God but also be witnesses to his mission, for in baptism we die to sin with Christ and rise with him. Gregory of Nazianzus (329-390 AD), an early church father tells us: "Let us be buried with Christ by Baptism to rise with him; let us go down with him to be raised with him; and let us rise with him to be glorified with him." And therefore, we are invited today, to renew our baptismal promises and become new again with Christ as we enter into the public ministry of Christ.
On this last day of the Christmas season, (and on the Baptism of the Lord), promise the Lord that you won’t become proud and forget Him as did the Israelites. Keep your promise by letting Jesus “baptize you in the Holy Spirit” (Mk 1:8). Each day, “seek the Lord” and “listen to” Jesus (Is 55:6; Lk 9:35). Live the “radical newness” of your baptismal life (Lay Members of Christ’s Faithful People, Pope St. John Paul II, 10). By your baptism, Christ wants to use you to be salt and light of the world. Are you ready and prepared?
Let us Pray.
Lord help me conform my Baptism to yours, which tells me that being baptized is to die and rise with you and to be sent to proclaim your Gospel to everyone. May this truth help me spread the gospel at any cost even if it is to give up my life. I renew my baptismal promises and ask for you grace to live a life pleasing to you. Amen
Be blessed.
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