SOLEMNITY OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD, YEAR A

Isaiah 42:1-4.6-7 

Psalm 29

Acts 10:34-38  

Matthew 3:13-17 

BAPTISM OF THE LORD

We celebrate today the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ, which brings to an end the Christmas celebrations. We might very well wonder, along with John the Baptist, why Jesus needed to be baptized. For we are much aware that John’s baptism was a sign of repentance from sin and as a way of preparing the people for the coming of Jesus the Messiah. But Jesus is the Son of God, “God’s anointed”, full of the Holy Spirit, just as Peter’s discourse in the second reading tells us. Again, Isaiah’s prophecy in the first reading undoubtedly makes reference to Jesus: “Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit…” If so, why should Jesus come for baptism from John?

According to Jesus himself, his baptism was meant to “fulfill all righteousness”, that is in conformity with God’s will. His baptism therefore was not only an expression of his obedience to his Father’s will, but also the revelation of his identity and mission at the beginning of his public life. The gospel passage tells us that after Jesus has been baptized, three phenomena happened: the heavens were opened, the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove, and a voice was heard saying "You are my Son, in whom I am well pleased." 

The opening of the heavens reminds us of the shutting up of the gate of heaven as a result of the fall of Adam and Eve. The descent of the Holy Spirit reminds us of the Spirit of God that was moving above the waters at the time of creation, while the dove reminds us of the end of the flood in the days of Noah.

 

All this tells us that Jesus Christ had come to inaugurate a new era, the era of grace that makes us new creatures in the Holy Spirit. This is the Holy Spirit that we received at our baptism making us sons and daughters of God. As we celebrate this feast today, let us thank God for the gift of the sacrament of baptism and ask him to renew his grace in us so that we may be faithful to our baptismal promises. Amen