Baptism of Our Lord
Why would Jesus Christ, sinless, the Savior of the World, present Himself for baptism to John the Baptist, a man, in what was, at that that time, an act of repentance? Jesus was sinless, and had nothing to repent. It is notable here that Jesus’ baptism is present in all four Gospels, using almost exactly the same words. The standout being Matthew’s Gospel (not the one we heard today), but in Matthew, when Jesus presents himself to John for baptism, John says “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?” Jesus’ response is: “Allow it for now, thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Aramaic vs. Greek, dikaiosunē: living in right relationship with God, with other people, and with all creation).
Jesus was demonstrating to us, in his baptism, exactly what he calls us to do in our baptism, and in our life. Dying in those waters, rising to new life from those waters with Him, cleansed of original sin, carrying the light of Christ; and going forth to……live in right relationship with God, with other people, and with all creation. In allowing John to baptize him, Jesus demonstrates his oneness with us; inviting us to become part of his mystical body: the Church. Acknowledging that he has done this for us, how do we affect this/how do we act on it?
First, let’s talk about our Baptismal steps, the importance of how they relate to Jesus’ baptism; and then we’ll get to how we act on it.
- We do what Jesus did when he was baptized: Jesus presented himself to John for baptism. We present ourselves/our children to the Church in the same way. We even confirm this by asking the question: what do you ask of the Church for yourself or for this child? The answer is: “Baptism”.
- We pray, and invoke the saints, specifically John the Baptist, Mary, St. Joseph, Peter, Paul.
- Say a prayer of exorcism for the person to be baptized, Renounce Satan and Sin, and profess our Faith in one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And even if we are present for someone else’s baptism, in these prayers we renew our baptismal promises.
- Bless the waters, and baptize with those waters, into Christ’s mystical body, the Church. The person baptized is now joined with all of us, as a new member of the body of Christ.
- Anointed, clothed in a white garment, symbolizing forgiveness, and given a candle symbolizing the light of Christ, now present in our soul.
These are almost exactly the steps Jesus took in his baptism: what he taught us and told us to do!
It is no coincide then, that at the end of our life, at the Mass of our Funeral, the Priest or Deacon begins the Mass with the words: “In the waters of Baptism this person died with Christ and rose with him to new life. May the person now share with Him eternal glory.” That, my friends, is called hope.
After Jesus’ baptism, and this is very important: the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove, along with God’s words to affirm that Jesus is God’s son. This is the first visible embodiment of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit together in the same moment in time, in the New Testament.
With this act – his baptism, the kindness and generous love of our savior appeared, certainly not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy. He saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.
Okay, so, what are we supposed to do with this information? At the end of this Mass, we will hear the words: “The Mass is ended, go forth, glorifying The Lord by your life”.
How do we do that – how do we glorify the Lord/honor Christ Jesus’ baptism, as well as our own? Well, first, if you haven’t been baptized, do that. But what’s next, after that, or in the meantime? In Louisville, KY; Saint Martha Parish, we are into the coldest, darkest time of the year. The shortest days and longest nights, for the next 2 – 3 months. This period our Church calls “Ordinary Time”. What are we supposed to do to honor our baptism in Christ during this Ordinary Time?
Well, as usual, scripture tells us exactly what to do:
First, Remember that we have been baptized through death and into new life in Him. And this is for all of us. Act like it: Reject worldly desires: money, power, lust, esteem of others. Love God with all your heart, mind, and soul; and love your neighbor as yourself: act on that even when it’s not easy. Live devoutly, with hope in Christ. Read and study scripture over this long winter. Maybe, even attend an adult formation/bible study group…at Saint Martha.
Ash Wednesday is March 5th, 7 ½ weeks away; and then we go into Lent, the Triduum and then…the celebration of Easter! Hope! Hope…in this long, dark “Ordinary Time”! Weeping may last through the night, but Easter Sunday is coming. Why are you looking for the living among the dead? Live, over this winter doing the Father’s will; Reject worldly desires, Live justly, and devoutly. Remember that we have been baptized through death and into new life in Him: That’s HOPE! Live with kindness and generous love, Read and study His words.
All of this, so that, when the joy of Easter arrives, The Father might say to us: “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Come, share your master’s joy”.