The Baptism of the Lord
Jesus' baptism is the start of His ministry, leading a new Exodus through the waters of the Jordan for continuous renewal of spirit.
Gospel according to Luke 3:15-16, 21-22
The people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, 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.”
Reflections
This Sunday’s Gospel begins with a sense of expectation. For centuries, the people of Israel had been waiting for the arrival of their saviour. Luke describes a striking scene of people “[who] were filled with expectation,” (Luke 3:15) wondering if John the Baptist was the Christ to come. As the “voice crying out in the desert” (Isaiah 40:3; John 1:23), John lived a solitary and contemplative life, and he was also a captivating speaker.
As it turned out, John was a prophet, foretelling what the future had in store. He clarified his role to the people: “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals” (Luke 3:16), John went on to proclaim: “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Luke 3:16). John was speaking of Jesus, who he had baptized. This moment of submission, submersion and resurgence marks a new era in the history of salvation, as well as the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.
The baptism of John is one of repentance, meaning it is intended for sinners (Luke 3:3). That is why, in other accounts of these events, John initially refused to baptize Jesus, who was not a sinner (Matthew 3:14). Instead, Jesus chose to humble himself and to identify with the sinners. In doing so, Jesus affirmed His two-fold identity: He is like men, and simultaneously, He is also the Son of God. Jesus leads a new exodus through the River Jordan, opening up the way to the Promised Land of God's Kingdom. Jesus’ ministry will be characterized by healing, the call to repentance, and ultimately, the sacrifice of the cross.
While Jesus was in prayer, Heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in the form of a dove (Luke 3:21). This anointing of Jesus and His mission reveals the trinitarian nature of God, and highlights the intricate relationship between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, characterised by perfect love and harmony.
The voice of the Father came from above and proclaimed: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3: 22). This declaration further reveals Jesus’ role as the Son of God, who was sent to take away the sins of the world – to redeem humanity from sin and its eternal consequences. As the beloved son of the Father, Jesus is the embodiment of the love and mercy of God. This moment inaugurates the arrival of the Messiah, and starts the sequence of events where Jesus will redeem us through His passion, death, and resurrection.
Wouldn’t it have been amazing to live at the time of Jesus, following in His footsteps? Imagine witnessing His baptism firsthand, hearing the voice from Heaven and seeing the Holy Spirit coming down to anoint Him. In fact, Jesus is still with us today. He baptizes with the Spirit and is always at our side.
During the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord, we are invited to contemplate the profound mystery of Jesus’ baptism. May we deepen our understanding of the sacrament of initiation, and recognize the call to mission that we have received. Let us also be inspired by Jesus' example of humility and obedience, striving to live out our Christian vocation with faith, hope, and charity.