The Baptism of Our Lord

01-12-2025Weekly ReflectionFr. Albert

The Christmas season, celebrating the self-revelation of God through Jesus, comes to an end with the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. Christmas is the feast of God's self-revelation to the Jews and Epiphany celebrates God's self-revelation to the Gentiles. At the Baptism in Jordan, Christ reveals himself to repentant sinners. The Baptism of the Lord Jesus is the great event celebrated by the Eastern churches on the feast of Epiphany because it is the occasion of the first public revelation of all the Three Persons in the Holy Trinity and the official revelation of Jesus as the Son of God to the world by God the Father.

Jesus' Baptism by John was a mystical experience that Jesus felt deep within his soul at the crucial turning point of His life. The opening of the Heavens with the Holy Spirit descending as a dove upon Jesus and the voice declaring of Jesus, "This is My Beloved Son with whom I am well pleased," are God's revelation to mankind of the Mystery that He is Triune. The presence of the Triune God at this baptism reveals Jesus' true identity and mission. The Heavens' opening also indicates that this was a moment of God's powerful intervention in human history and in the life of His Son. His baptism by John was a very important event in the life of Jesus.

First, it was a moment of decision, marking the end of Jesus' private life, which had prepared him for his public ministry. Second, it was a moment of identification with his people in their God-ward movement initiated by John the Baptist. Third, it was a moment of affirmation and approval. Jesus might have been waiting for such a signal from His Heavenly Father, and during His baptism, Jesus got it in the announcement of himself as the Father's beloved Son. Fourth, it was a moment of conviction. At this baptism, Jesus received assurances from Heaven about His identity and the nature of His mission. He was the 'chosen one' and the 'beloved Son of God'. His mission of saving mankind would be fulfilled by becoming the "suffering servant" of God.

The baptism of Jesus reminds us of our identity and mission. First, it reminds us of who we are and whose we are. By baptism, we become the adoptive sons and daughters of God, brothers and sisters of Jesus, members of His church, heirs of Heaven, and temples of the Holy Spirit.

Fr. Albert