Monday, 9thJanuary 2017.
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
Is 42: 1-4, 6-7;
Ps 29: 1-10;
Acts10: 34-38;
Mt 3: 13-17.
BAPTIZED AS CHILDREN OF GOD!
Today’s Feast marks the conclusion of the Christmas Season and the beginning of Ordinary Time. It’s a feast of transition from Jesus’ hidden life to that of His public ministry. It also echoes the theme of the Epiphany. The Baptism of the Lord is another manifestation announcing Jesus’ divinity to all of His first followers and to the disciples of John the Baptist.
Jesus did not need the baptism of John. John was baptizing as a call to and sign of interior repentance. Jesus had no need to repent. Why did Jesus receive baptism then?
First, by accepting the baptism of John, Jesus affirms all that John has said and done and affirms his sacred role of preparing the way for Jesus and for a new era of grace. Therefore, the Baptism of Jesus acts as a bridge between the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament era of grace and truth.
Second, it has been said that when Jesus entered the waters of baptism, He was not baptized by the waters, rather, His Baptism was one in which all the created waters of this world were, in a sense, “baptized” by Him. By entering into the waters, Jesus sanctifies water and pours forth His grace making all water the future source of salvation.
Third, the Baptism of Jesus was an epiphany. It was a moment of manifestation. As He emerged from the waters, “Heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from Heaven, ’You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.’” This manifestation of the sonship and divinity of Jesus took place in a physical, audible and visible form so that all present would know, without doubt that Jesus was the Son of the Father. Thus, in His baptism the Father introduces His Son and His Son’s mission to the world.
Jesus’ baptism was necessary because it was for him a moment of decision. John gave the sign for Jesus to commence his ministry. Jesus takes up the challenge of God by making the decision to launch his mission on earth. Jesus’ baptism was for him a moment of identification, a time for him to identify himself with the God. And this Jesus does for our sake. Jesus was ready to carry out his mission and he received at this moment the approval of God: “This is my beloved Son.” The baptism of Jesus was for him a moment of equipment. Jesus brought the Good News, the message of peace in contrast to the message of John, Jesus is equipped now to conquer the world by love.
"Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door which gives access to the other Sacraments" (Catechism of the Catholic Church - 1213). In our baptism God ‘opens the heavens’ and sends us His Spirit; the heaven that was closed by sin is opened now. In baptism the Holy Spirit takes possession of our soul, purifies it, and makes it a fitting abode for Him. God says to us also at our baptism: “This is my beloved Son.” Baptism makes us truly the children of God. Like Jesus we too must be led by the Spirit and be equipped to fulfill the mission entrusted to us. Our whole life must be a ‘Good News’ to others, through helping and doing good, especially to the needy.
Prayer: Lord, I believe that You are the Son of the Eternal Father and the Savior of the World. I believe that You have brought about a new era of grace and truth and that I am called to follow You wherever You lead. As we begin this liturgical season of Ordinary Time, may it be a time of extraordinary grace in which I daily heed Your voice. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.
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