The Feast of Baptism of the Lord
Prologue
Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Baptism of Our Lord. This celebration marks a turning point in the Church’s Liturgical Calendar because today we end the Christmas season and tomorrow we begin the Ordinary Time of the Year.
The Baptism of the Lord is the feast day commemorating the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordon River by John the Baptist. Originally, the baptism of Christ was celebrated on Epiphany, which commemorates the coming of the Magi the baptism of Christ, and the Wedding at Cana.
Pope Pius XII instituted the feast of the Baptism of the Lord as a distinct feast in the Roman Catholic Church in 1955.
This is the day for us to remember the graces we have received in baptism and to renew our baptismal promises.
Liturgy of the word
| Reading 1
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Responsorial Psalm
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Reading 2
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Gospel |
Who Was John the Baptist?
John the Baptist is one of the best-known people of The Bible. John was a Levite. His father Zechariah was a Temple priest of the line of Abijah, and his mother Elizabeth was also descended from Aaron (Luke 1:5). Jesus Christ and John the Baptist were related. Their mothers, Mary and Elizabeth, were cousins (Lk. 1:36). This devout couple lived in the “hill country” of Judea (Lk. 1:39), perhaps Hebron, a priestly city of the region (Luke 1:36). John the Baptist was born 6 months before Jesus Christ (Luke 1:36). His name was divinely given. It was to be “John” (Lk. 1:13), which derives from a Hebrew term signifying “Jehovah is gracious.”
He was known familiarly as “the Baptist” (bearing no relation to the modern sect), which simply means “an immerser, one who administers the rite of immersion” (Mt. 3:1; 11:11; etc.). The importance of John in the divine scheme of things probably is summed up best in the testimony of Jesus himself. “Among them that are born of women there has not arisen a greater than John the Baptist . . .” (Mt. 11:11).
We see in the gospel, John was preaching repentance for the remission of sins while he baptized people in the area of the river Jordan. In the gospels, John had been foretelling (Lk3:16) the arrival of a someone “mightier than I”. He added, “I baptize you with water, but the who is coming will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with Fire”. He was a man of simplicity and obedience. He was courageous prophet who loved truth and mercy.
John the Baptist, who is considered a forerunner to Christianity, used baptism as the central sacrament of his messianic movement. “The Baptist hesitates, but Jesus insists and receives baptism.
The Jordan River
Jordan River (Hebrew: נהר הירדן nehar hayarden, Arabic: نهر الأردن Nahr al-urdun) is a river in Southwest Asia, flowing from the foot of Mount Hermon to the Dead Sea. This river is considered one of the world’s most sacred rivers. Long River 251 km (156 miles).
The Jordan River valley area is one of the world-famous Bible places. The Jordan River is mentioned frequently in The Bible, about 175 times in the Old Testament and about 15 times in the New Testament .Jordan is derived from the Hebrew word pronounced yar-dane, meaning descender. Today the Jordan River forms much of the international boundary between Israel and the Kingdom of Jordan.
The baptism of the Lord: an historical event
The baptism of Jesus marks the beginning of his Public ministry (Lk 3:23; Acts 1:22. The baptism is one of the seven major milestones in the gospel narrative of the life of Jesus, the others being the the Nativity of the Lord, Transfiguration, Last Supper, Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension.
God’s rule inaugurated
Jesus’ ministry to bring in God’s rule was inaugurated in his baptism.After Jesus went up “out of the water”, he saw the heavens open and the Spirit of God descended like a dove upon him, and there was a voice from heaven: Mark and Luke record the voice as addressing Jesus by saying “You are beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”, while in Matthew the voice addresses the crowd “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Mt 3:13-17, Mk 1:9-11and Lk 3:21-23).
It also foreshadows the season of Lent, as Jesus was immediately driven into the wilderness for 40 days after his own Baptism.
Origin of baptism:
Neither John nor Jesus invented baptism. It had been practiced for centuries among the Jews as a ritual equivalent to our Confession. Until the fall of the Temple in 70 A.D., it was common for Jewish people to use a special pool called a MIKVEH — literally a “collection of water” – as a means of spiritual cleansing, to remove spiritual impurity and sin. Men took this bath weekly on the eve of the Sabbath; women, monthly. Converts were also expected to take this bath before entering Judaism. The orthodox Jews retain the rite. John preached that such a bath was a necessary preparation for the cataclysm that would be wrought by the coming Messiah. Jesus transformed this continuing ritual into the one single, definitive act by which we begin our life of faith. In effect, he fused his divine essence with the water and the ceremony.
We may ask a question, 1. Why did Jesus, the sinless Son of God, receive the ‘baptism of repentance’ meant for sinners? 2) Why did Jesus wait for thirty years to begin his public ministry? Jesus’ baptism by John was the acceptance and the beginning of his mission as God’s suffering Servant. He allowed himself to be numbered among sinners. Jesus submitted himself entirely to his Father’s will. Out of love, he consented to His baptism of death for the remission of our sins. Many Fathers of the Church explain that Jesus received baptism to identify himself with his people, who for the first time in Jewish history became aware of their sins and of their need for repentance, because of John’s preaching. The Jews had the traditional belief that only the Gentiles who embraced Jewish religion needed the baptism of repentance, for, as God’s chosen people, the Jewish race was holy. Jesus might have been waiting for this most opportune moment to begin his public ministry.
What is baptism?
The English word “baptism” is derived indirectly through Latin from the neuter Greek concept noun baptisma (Greek βάπτισμα, ritual washing and the Greek verb bapto (βάπτω), “dip”, from which the verb baptizo is derived.
OT and NT
Washing rites characterize priestly preparation for offering sacrifice in the old Testament (Exodus 40:12-15).On the day of atonment,the high priest bathes both before and after his offering (Lev 16:4,24). Visitors to the temple should not enter the inner courts without washing hand and feet (Kelim1.6). Water washing are linked not only with religious purity but also with concern for sinfulness and moral purity (Is 1:16-17, Jer 4:14; Ezek 36:25). More domestic versions of these concerns are found in Jewish ablutions in Jesus time (Mk7:2-4). Baptism in the NT begins with John’s baptism, whcih was a prophetic call to repentance and forgiveness of sins (Mk1:4).
Baptism (from the Greek noun βάπτισμα baptisma) is a Christian rite of admission and adoption, almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and a particular church tradition.
One of the seven sacraments
Baptism has been called a sacrament and an ordinance of Jesus Christ. Baptism is practiced in several different ways.
Mode and manner
The word “Immersion” is derived from late Latin immersionem, a noun derived from the verb immergere (in – “into” + mergere “dip”). In relation to baptism, some use it to refer to any form of dipping, whether the body is put completely under water or is only partly dipped in water; they thus speak of immersion as being either total or partial. When “immersion” is used in opposition to “submersion”, it indicates the form of baptism in which the candidate stands or kneels in water and water is poured over the upper part of the body.
In the early church
The earliest Christian baptisms were probably normally by immersion. By the third and fourth centuries, baptism involved catechistical instructions well as Chrismation, exorcisms, lying on of hands, and recitation of a creed. In the West, this method of baptism began to be replaced by affusion baptism from around the 8th century, but it continues in use in eastern Christianity. Aspersion is the sprinkling of water on the head, and affusion is the pouring of water over the head.
In the Middle Ages
In the early middle ages, infant baptism became common and the rite was significantly simplified. Affusion became the normal mode of baptism between the twelfth and fourteenth centuries, though immersion was still practiced into the sixteenth.
Martyrdom as Baptism by blood
Martyrdom was identified early in Church history as “baptism by blood”, enabling martyrs who had not been baptized by water to be saved. Later, the Catholic Church identified a Baptism of desire, by which those preparing for baptism who die before actually receiving the sacrament are considered saved. Church taught that baptism is necessary for our salvation.
In the sixteenth century
In the sixteenth century, Martin Luther retained baptism as a sacrament, but Swiss reformer Huldrych Zwingli considered baptism and the Lord’s Supper to be symbolic. Huldrych Zwingli said that baptism is not necessary for salvation. Anabaptists denied the validity of baptisms conducted outside their group and rebaptized converts. Today, some Christians, particularly Christian Scientists, Quakers, the Salvation Army, and Unitarians, do not see baptism as necessary, anddo not practice the rite.
Baptism: In the sacred scripture:
| Jesus commissioned apostles to baptize people | Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Mt 28:19-20). |
| What did the apostles proclaim regarding baptism? | Conversion or repentance was the key element in baptism |
| In the Acts of the Apostles
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It was commanded “for the remission of sins” – Acts2:38
It was done to “wash away sins” – Act 22:16 It involved “water” – Acts 8:36-38 It was done “immediately We noticed that…”, with no delay even if after midnight – Acts 16 :25-33 |
| Paul taught that baptism is… | Paul received baptism from Ananias after the Damascus experience |
| In his epistle to the Romans
live with Christ – Rom 6:7-11 |
Baptism is a burial and resurrection with Christ
It is a baptism into the death of Christ – Rom 6:3 It is a burial with Christ into death (His death, we are Crucified with Him!) – Rom 6:4 It is done in order that we might walk in newness of life Rom 6:4-5 It involves crucifying the old man, that the body of sin may be destroyed – Rom 6:6 It thereby frees us from sin as we die to sin, that we might |
| In his epistle to the Galatians
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Baptism is how we put on Christ.
From Gal 3:26-27 Baptism is therefore the means by which we “put on Christ”, and become sons of God! [In his commentary on this verse, Luther concluded: “Wherefore baptism is a thing of great force and efficacy.” How true, if in baptism we “put on Christ”! |
| In his epistle to the Colossians:
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Baptism is a work of God.
A “spiritual circumcision” in which sins are “cut away” – Col 2:11 Here we learn that baptism is a work of God, not man Just as it was God who raised Jesus, so it is He who makes us alive, having forgiven our sins! – Col 2:13 Our part is “faith in the working of God” as we are buried with Christ in baptism – Col 2:12 Luther said, “Yes, it is true that our works are of no use for salvation. Baptism, however, is not our work but God’s.” |
| In his epistle to Titus:
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Baptism is a washing and regeneration.
Is Paul talking about baptism in Tit 3:5? The figure “washing” certainly alludes to the baptismal waters. Thus, God saves us in baptism. It is a “washing of regeneration” – a washing in we are reborn. We are transformed. |
Teaching of the church on baptism
One of the Seven sacraments of the Christian Church; frequently called the “first sacrament”, the “door of the sacraments”, and the “door of the Church”. In Catholic teaching, baptism is believed to be usually essential for salvation.
Canon Law on Baptism (Cann. 849 – 878)
Can. 849 Baptism, the gateway to the sacraments and necessary for salvation by actual reception or at least by desire, is validly conferred only by a washing of true water with the proper form of words. Through baptism, men and women are freed from sin, are reborn as children of God and, configured to Christ by an indelible character, and are incorporated into the Church.
Catechism of the Catholic Church
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
1213 Holy Baptism is the basis of the completely Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism, we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: “Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.”
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Baptism is the Sacrament whereby Jesus, acting through the person that baptizes:
| 1 | Cleanses us of original and any personal sin |
| 2 | Remits all punishment due to sin |
| 3 | Gives us new life by making us a new creation |
| 4 | Makes us adopted sons of the father We cry out “Abba Father” (Col 4:6) |
| 5 | Incorporates us into and makes us a member of Himself |
| 6 | Makes us a temple of the Holy spirit |
| 7 | Makes us a member of His Body, the Church |
| 8 | Infuse us with sanctifying grace-Baptismal grace |
| 9 | Imprints upon our soul an indelible sign or character, which consecrates us for worshipSealed Forever and cannot be repeated |
The formula of baptism
Clergy: —–Name——-, I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
What are the effects of Baptism?
(CCC 1270) “Reborn as sons of God, [the baptized] must profess before men the faith they have received from God through the Church” and participate in the apostolic and missionary activity of the People of God (LG 11; 17; AG 7; 23).
Who can administer the sacrament of baptism?
In the Roman Catholic Church, Canon Law for the Latin Church lays down that the ordinary minister of baptism is a bishop, priest or deacon
A thought for today
Are you baptized? What are your duties?
Let us celebrate not only Jesus’ baptism, but also our own. What does baptism really mean for you? How does the baptism influence and enable us to grow in good news through the moral virtues. It is in baptism that we are anointed priest, prophet and king. Do you understand it as an insertion into Christ, so that you are to live now just like Christ and come to achieve liberation and salvation?
Martin Luther said:
To put it most simply, the power, effect, benefit, fruit, and purpose of Baptism is to save. No one is baptized in order to become a prince, but as the words say, to “be saved”. To be saved, we know, is nothing else than to be delivered from sin, death, and the devil and to enter into the kingdom of Christ and live with him forever.
Saint Monica and her son “Augustine”
St.Ambrose baptized young Augustine on the day of Easter in 387. Monica told her son: “Son, nothing in this world now affords me delight”. “My son, I had but one object in my life, and that was to see you a catholic”. Augustine lived a saintly life after baptism.
Lessons learnt from the baptism of the Lord
“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Once the Arian Heresy held that Jesus Christ was not fully God. In baptism, we are being united with Trinitarian God.
Baptism is a community celebration
The Church celebrates this sacrament as a community—because as a community, we pray together, rejoice together, grieve together, and grow together. The Christian life is not lived in isolation. “This is our faith. This is the faith of the Church. We are proud to profess it, in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Humility to be with the poor and the needy
Today’s gospel tells us how, by receiving the baptism of repentance, Jesus became identified with the sinners whom he had come to save. Do we have such humility to accept our own faults and failures and ready to work for the weakest sections of the society?
Blessed Pope John Paul II
“We were anointed with the oil of catechumens, the sign of Christ’s gentle strength, to fight against evil.
Time to renew our baptismal promises today
This is also a day for us to renew our baptismal promises by consecrating ourselves to the Holy Trinity and by “rejecting Satan and all his empty promises,”. Let us continue to preach Christ’s ‘Good News’ by our transparent Christian lives of love, mercy, service and forgiveness.
The baptism of Jesus reminds us of our identity and mission. It reminds us of who we are. How do we experience the presence of God within us? Are we able to live as the children of God in thought, word and action? Are we able to lead a holy and transparent Christian life? We break our relationship with god by impurity, injustice, intolerance, jealousy or hatred. we are called to grow daily in intimacy with God by personal and family prayers, by meditative reading of the Word of God, by participating in the Holy Mass, and by frequenting the sacrament of reconciliation.
Missionary Challenges and social problems of today calls for a greater pastoral prudence
Do we create a healthily atmosphere for our children to nurture their faith at homes, schools and parishes? Are we role models for our children? Do we keep neat and tidy our baptismal registers? How do we respond to the children born out of wedlock? Esp. children born of premarital sex, abused and abandoned mother with a child and children who were thrown into a dustbin?
The goal of the new evangelization is not merely to achieve new baptisms or change of religion from people of other faith but a change of heart and inner conversion to justice, peace and love and values of the kingdom of God. We face challenges in our missions where we come across with ant- conversion bill by the state Governments and there is a great need for an inter religious dialogue in multi -religious contexts such as in Asia.
Baptism aims at building a just society
As we read in the second reading, it was at his baptism that “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil” (Acts 10:37-38). We read that soon after Jesus’ baptism, John was arrested and the Kingdom of God movement needed a new leadership. When Jesus heard it, he went up and took on the task, in this way implementing the commitment he made at his baptism to promote the kingdom of God.
Baptism: a Called to Service:
Late South African president Mr. Nelson Mandela was one of the greatest leaders of this century. He was instrumental in ending apartheid and bringing about a multiracial society in South Africa. How did he come to play such a crucial role in the history of his country? In his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, He says: “A steady accumulation of insights helped me to see that my duty was to the people as a whole, not to a particular section of it. The memory of a thousand indignities produced in me anger, rebelliousness, and a desire to fight the system that imprisoned my people. There was no particular day on which I said, ‘Henceforth I will devote myself to the liberation of my people”.
Baptism calls us to care for our brothers and sisters
Late South African president Mr. Nelson Mandela is a symbol of fight against injustice. His journey was so hard and painful one. He worked and suffered for Jesus Christ. What a long years of his struggle for South Africa’s freedom from oppression, racial prejudice, inequality and poverty. He was not a Roman Catholic but a Methodist. Holy Father Francis highly appreciated late Mr. Nelson Mandela for his great service to his country before his burial in December 15, 2013.
Baptism as a prelude at service of the Kingdom of God
What are we doing, each one of us, to promote the kingdom of God? Are we ready to consecrate and dedicate ourselves wholly to the service of the kingdom of God just as Jesus did? Let us today with Jesus renew our baptismal commitment to bear witness to the Good News of the kingdom of God in word and in deed. True faith calls for social responsibility.