THE FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
REFLECTION BY FR COLLINS AKHIGBE, OP
SCRIPTURAL PASSAGES: 1ST READING. ISAIAH 55:1-11. PSALM. IS 12. 2ND READING. 1 JN 5:1-9. GOSPEL. MK 1:7-11
THEME: THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST
We celebrate today the Baptism of the Lord. It is a Solemnity which marks the end of the Christmas season. Tomorrow we begin the season of ordinary time. This event indicates in strong terms the indispensibility of Baptism in the Christian journey. Jesus Christ is God and thus did not need to be baptized but humbled himself and submitted to Baptism. Many commentators have argued that by stooping low to be baptized, Jesus Christ sanctified the water of Baptism. Through his Baptism, he instituted the Sacrament of Baptism and confirmed its necessity. We can see this mindset in the encounter between Jesus and Nichodemus. The Master told him, amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit (Jn 3:5). After his resurrection the Lord commissioned his followers to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit (Mt 28:19). In this reflection, we shall examine the significance of the Baptism of Christ and its relevance to Christianity and the graces of Baptism.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST
According to the Preacher’s Outline and Sermon bible, Jesus’ Baptism involved a decision and a surrender. (Preacher’s Outline and Sermon bible). The scripture says that Jesus came from Nazareth to be baptized in Jordan by John. For the Preacher’s Outline and Sermon bible, Within Jesus’ mind was the call of God to launch the mission to save the world, a mission that demanded the sacrifice of everything: The sacrifice of all that He had in Nazareth. The sacrifice of a long earthly life. By choosing the mission of God, He was to be killed in only thirty-six months. The sacrifice of His Godly righteousness. He was to become the sin-bearer for the world (Rom 5:1; 1 Peter 2:21-24). The sacrifice of God’s presence. In death, God was to forsake Him (Mt 27:46-49).
By being baptized, Jesus was surrendering totally to God’s will and mission to save the world. By being baptized, Jesus was showing what is involved in paying the ultimate price; the price of sacrificing oneself totally for the will of God. By being baptized, Jesus was showing the world what is involved in making a momentous decision and a total surrender to God.
According to St Gregory Nazianzen, at his Baptism, Christ is bathed in light, we also should be bathed in light. Christ is baptized; let us go down with him and rise with him. In his Baptism, Christ comes to bury sinful humanity in the waters. He comes to sanctify the Jordan for our sake. Jesus rises from the waters, the world should rise with him. The door of heaven that was closed by the sin of Adam for himself and his descendants was rent open by Christ.
THE CONSEQUENCES OF CHRIST’S BAPTISM FOR US
First, we are called to embrace the experience of Christ who surrendered to the will of his Father. In like manner we should embrace the will of God for us.
Second, the Baptism of the Lord calls us to live out our vows. We are to rise from sinful habits which Christ took away from us. This is why the scripture tells us we were indeed buried with him through Baptism into his death (Rom 6:4).
Third, the Baptism of the Lord calls those who are not yet baptized to embrace this gateway to the sacraments, the gateway to communion with God, the gateway to the life of the Spirit (CCC # 1213).
Fourth, the Baptism of the Lord calls us to embrace our mission of Evangelization. It calls us to Proclamation of the kingdom of God (Mt 28:19).
Fifth, the Baptism of the Lord calls us to repentance and conversion. Our celebration of this feast will be empty without the spirit of repentance (Mt 4:17).
Sixth, the Baptism of the Lord calls us to a life of witness. A life of faithfulness. At Baptism, we received candle light signifying our new identity as light of the world (Mt 5:14).
THE GRACES OF BAPTISM
First, by Baptism all sins are forgiven, original and all personal sins, as well as the punishment for sin (CCC # 1263). Yet certain temporal consequences of sin remain in the baptized, such as suffering, illness, death, and such frailties inherent in life as weaknesses of character (CCC # 1264).
Second, Baptism not only purifies from all sins, but also makes the neophyte “a new creature,” an adopted son of God, who has become a partaker of the divine nature, member of Christ and co-heir with him, a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19; CCC # 1265).
Third, Baptism makes us members of the Body of Christ. We are members of one another. Baptism incorporates us into the Church. From the Baptismal fronts is born the one People of God of the New Covenant, which transcends all the natural or human limits of nations, cultures, races and sexes. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body (CCC # 1267).
Fourth, Baptism constitutes the foundation of communion among all Christians, including those who are not yet in full communion with the Catholic Church (CCC # 1271).
Fifth, through Baptism we are incorporated into Christ, the person baptized is configured to Christ. Baptism seals the Christian with the indelible spiritual mark (Character) of his belonging to Christ. According to the Catechism, no sin can erase this mark, even if sin prevents Baptism from bearing the fruits of Salvation (CCC # 1272).
These are the graces we received at Baptism. This is why we must treasure this feast and celebrate it with gratitude to God. We should celebrate this feast by renewing our own Baptismal promises. Let us celebrate this feast by striving to become who we are. God’s children in truth and in Spirit.
PRAYERS
Lord, help us to live out our nobility as your children. Lord, give us the grace of holiness of life. Lord, help us to remain faithful to the vows we professed on the day of our Baptism. Lord, heal us of our wounds, let your hands be upon us till the very end of our lives. Amen. Wishing you a glorious day.
With lots of prayers and love.
