Dear friends in Christ Jesus,

The Baptism of the Lord is not only about Jesus’ baptism, it is also about our baptism and the need for baptism in general and about Jesus being truly human even though He is truly God. The scriptures tell us over and over that God does care for us and there will be a judgment according to our deeds. This way of discerning is surely to make us more aware of what we are doing. But the reality is still there that God loves us unconditionally whether our actions are good or bad. Nevertheless, we are given time in this world so that we can learn how to choose the good. Baptism is about being willing to die in order to choose the “Good” that is Jesus Christ the risen Lord.

The readings of today and especially the Gospel are about the Baptism of Jesus. It is clear that it was a major event in the life of Jesus. But Jesus being innocent, spotless, guiltless, and sinless, undergoes Baptism to bring about our salvation. Jesus does not need to repent nor to be baptised, but chooses baptism in order to draw us to salvation. Today as we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, we can make a commitment to understand our own baptism better, we can commit ourselves to learning more about our faith. Most of all, we can commit ourselves to the Holy Spirit who was given to us during the time of sacrament of Baptism and who is still alive within us.

The grace we received at baptism as children or when we were older, is constantly going to work in our spiritual lives, enlivened by the sacraments we receive throughout our lives, especially the Eucharist and Penance or Confession. And today, we end the Christmas season by commemorating the Baptism of Jesus and our own rebirth at baptism. We are enjoying now and for eternity what the prophets and people of old long to see. The eyes of faith open up this possibility. Let us give glory to God and rejoice in His presence within us.