Readings: Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11, Ps. 104:1-4,24-25,27-30, Titus 2:11-14,3:4-7, Luke 3:15-16,21-22
“I baptise you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Luke 3:16)
Last Sunday, we celebrated the Epiphany of Jesus. The feast of the Epiphany is a combination of three significant moments in Jesus’s life where His Divinity was revealed (manifested) to the world. The first of these three was the visit of the Magi, who were led by the star to the baby Jesus. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, fell on their faces, and worshipped the Infant King of Kings.
Today’s feast, the baptism of Jesus, marks the second significant moment of the revelation of Jesus’ divinity. Luke reports: “When Jesus also had been baptised and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form, as a dove, and a voice came from heaven, ‘Thou art my beloved Son; with thee, I am well pleased.’” (Luke 3:21-22). All those present at the baptism of Jesus saw the dove and heard the voice from heaven. Like the Magi, they must have fallen on their faces to worship Jesus when they saw this mighty display of God.
The third significant moment of the revelation of Jesus’ divinity is the Wedding Feast at Cana in Galilee, where Jesus turned water into wine. All those who knew how the wine came about knew that only God could make that happen. John wrote: “This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him.” (John 2:11).
Let us now focus on Jesus’ baptism and examine the lessons contained in today’s liturgical celebration.
1. Jesus’ Baptism Teaches Us to Strive for Perfection
It seems like a contradiction that the Messiah himself came to partake of something meant to prepare for his coming. John tried to resist Jesus but finally obeyed Jesus’ command after he explained it was to fulfil all righteousness. God declared Jesus his beloved son just after baptism. According to St. Maximus of Turin, “At Christmas, Jesus was born a man; today he is reborn sacramentally. Then he was born from the Virgin; today, he is born in mystery.”
“When Jesus was born a man, his mother Mary held him close to her heart; when he is born in mystery, God the Father embraces him with his voice when he says: This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased: listen to him. The mother caresses the tender baby on her lap; the Father serves his Son with his loving testimony. The mother holds the child for the Magi to adore; the Father reveals that his Son is to be worshipped by all the nations.”
There is a fundamental difference between Jesus’ baptism and ours. While Jesus was baptised to “fulfil all righteousness”, we receive baptism to “cleanse us from original sin.” Jesus did not need baptism to become God’s son. Meanwhile, in our case, baptism makes us children of God. Again, Jesus did not need baptism for salvation. But as Jesus said to Nicodemus: “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5).
By receiving baptism, Jesus taught us an important lesson – the need to fulfil all righteousness. Do not be an average Christian. Never be satisfied with doing the minimum. In Matthew 5:48, Jesus said: “You must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Perfection is not a destination; it is a journey. To be perfect, one must go beyond keeping the rules. It is not enough to do what is right; you must become an example to others. “For I tell you unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:19-20).
You might be on your way to the classroom and find something on the floor that is dangerous to others. No one will punish you if you decide not to pick it up. However, like Jesus, you must seek to fulfil all righteousness.
2. Baptism Makes Us God’s Children; We Must Behave as God’s Children
As soon as Jesus had been baptised and was praying, heaven opened, the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form as a dove, and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you, I am well pleased.” This is what happens during our baptism. In today’s first reading, we hear Isaiah saying: “Behold your God! Behold, the Lord God comes with might... He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms, he will carry them in his bosom.” (Isaiah 40:9-11).
When we are baptised, God carries us gently and softly as babies. Regardless of our age when we receive the sacrament, in baptism, we are babies because we die to our old selves and are born anew. How does baptism make us God’s children?
A. By the Process of Cleansing.
Baptism washes us from Original Sin. It reverses the sin of Adam and Eve, which drove them out of God’s presence. As St. Paul explains in today’s second reading: “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but by his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:4-5). This cleansing (rebirth) is God’s gift to us, an act of God’s mercy.
B. By Our Baptismal Promises.
Baptism makes us God’s children through our verbal commitment. By saying “I do” to the baptismal promises, we unite ourselves with God and cut off ties with the devil. This second aspect requires our co-operation. As St. Paul tells us, we cannot claim to be God’s children if we fail to renounce “impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly.” (Titus 2:11-12). Children must resemble their fathers by name and their very lives.
How many of us still remember our baptismal promises? Do you reject Satan? And all his works? And all his empty promises? Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth? Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father? Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting? This is our faith. This is the faith of the Church. We are proud to profess it in Christ Jesus our Lord.
3. Baptism is the Gate; Do Not Remain at the Gate
The fact that Jesus did not begin his ministry until his baptism is very instructive. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door which gives access to other sacraments.” (cf. CCC no. 1213). In his wisdom, God created life to be in stages. One does not become old without first being young, so also in the spiritual life, baptism is a very important introductory stage to the other sacraments.
To say baptism is a gate is to imply that it leads somewhere. Baptism is just the beginning. Jesus did not remain where he was after baptism; the Spirit led him into the wilderness, where he fasted and prayed forty days and nights. Baptism marked a completely new phase in Jesus’ life. Those who knew him before exclaimed: “Is this not Jesus, the son of the Carpenter? Where did He get all these?” Isn’t it a shame that we remain in darkness after our baptism? Don’t remain at the gate. Get up, move to the next level; arise and shine. Grow in virtue, grow in spirit. Draw nearer to God daily.
4. Prayer is the Master Key; Great Things Happen When We Pray
Jesus’ baptism highlights the power of prayer. Luke tells us: “When Jesus had been baptised and was praying, the heaven was opened.” (Luke 3:21). Similarly, at the Transfiguration, Luke tells us: “Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling white. And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Elijah.” (Luke 9:28-30). Prayer is the key to experiencing God’s presence.
When we pray, we transport ourselves to heaven, and God comes to be with us concretely. Never see prayer as a burden; look forward to your time with God. Prayer is not merely telling God our needs; it is a time to listen to God. As God spoke during Jesus’ Baptism, God speaks to us during prayer.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God; we renew our baptismal vows today; give us more grace to continue walking in your light as your beloved children. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (The Baptism of the Lord – Feast Liturgical Colour: White. Bible Study: Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11, Ps. 104:1-4,24-25,27-30, Titus 2:11-14,3:4-7, Luke 3:15-16,21-22).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu