A Reflection on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (C)

Baptism of Christ
Tapestry designed by John Nava
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
Los Angeles, California

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (C)

Is 42:1-4, 6-7

Ps 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10

Acts 10:34-38

Lk 3:15-16, 21-22

Probably everyone remembers the words from the third chapter of the book of Ecclesiastes: "For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven."  Today, Luke's Gospel provides us with just such an example.

Jesus' hidden life is coming to an end...  His baptism by John and the acknowledgement by His Father: "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." mark the beginning of the public life and ministry of Jesus.  At the same time, John the Baptist's life of preaching is drawing to a close.  Soon he will be arrested and not long thereafter murdered at the court of Herod.  John knew who it was he was baptizing; someone mightier that he...  one who would baptize with the Spirit and with fire, not simply with water as John did....  someone whose sandals he was not worthy to loosen.

What would the ministry of Jesus be like?  We learn the answer in the beautiful reading from the prophet Isaiah.  We find that the Lord has called for a servant who will come forth, filled with the Spirit, who will bring justice to the nations.   In his gentleness and care for the people, this servant will not let hope be lost,  Instead, he will be a light to the nations;open the eyes of the blind and bring from the dungeons of sin, those who live in darkness.  This servant is Jesus.

The baptism of Jesus obviously made a strong impression on the Apostles, for we read in the Acts of the Apostles, that Peter describes how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power.  Jesus then went about doing good and healing those oppressed by the devil.  God was with him...

Jesus did not need the waters of baptism to cleanse himself of sin, for Jesus was sinless.  But by allowing himself to be baptized, Jesus showed us the way we are to go to reach the heavenly Kingdom.  We, who are born with sin, are to follow in his footsteps... Peter reminds us that God does not show partiality. Each of us is to take up our cross... those things that burden our lives... believing God's word that those who act uprightly, are accepted by him, no matter who we are... The Lord will bless his people with peace. (Resp)