The Baptism of the Lord

 Reflection on Today's Readings, the Baptism of the Lord, January 9th, 2022
Texts: Is. 40:1-5.9-11; Ps.104: lb-4.24-25.27-30; Tit. 2:11-14; 3 :4-7; Luke 3:15-16.21-22
Today we celebrate the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ. This celebration marks the end of Christmas season. We begin the first part of Ordinary Time, tomorrow, and ends on Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Today's gospel reading brings to mind the two meanings the phrase BAPTISM OF THE LORD has: the baptism of the Lord Himself and the baptism we receive in Him.  St. Hillary of Poitier tells us the connection between the two thus: "Everything that happened to Christ let us know that, after the bath of water, the Holy Spirit swoops down upon us from high heaven and that, adopted by the Father's voice, we become sons of God" (CCC no. 357). The baptism of our Lord, Himself, reveals the meaning of our own baptism in Him. Just as Holy Spirit descended upon Christ so also Holy Spirit descends upon us at baptism. Just as Father's voice proclaimed Christ His Son so also we are adopted as sons and daughters at baptism.
John the baptist, in today's gospel reading, first makes a distinction between his baptism and the baptism of the Lord. He says, "I baptise you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” "John preaches 'a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins'" (CCC no. 535). Catechism of Catholic Church speaks of the baptism of the Lord thus: "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, and a temple of the Holy Spirit" (no. 1265). The baptism of John is not into faith in him but in preparation for faith in Jesus Christ. The baptism of Jesus Christ is into faith in Him; we are baptised into faith in Jesus Christ.
John the Baptist tells us that Jesus Christ will baptise us with Holy Spirit and fire. The Holy Spirit reminds us of divine adoption. With our baptism we are born of God and henceforth belongs to Him. We do no longer our will but His will; we continue to live for Him and Him alone. The fire signifies Transfiguration; for whatever fire torches, it Transfigures. This tells us that baptism brings about new creation. This further affirms that we become a new creation in Jesus Christ. Fire is also an agent of purification. This tells us that when we are baptised, we are purified of our sins. St. Paul tells us, in today's second reading, the grace we receive through baptism: "For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world, awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds." The grace of baptism is to bring forgiveness and holiness of life. Can we look into our lives now to see whether we have wasted the grace of baptism or not. Some of us have wasted the grace of baptism while some of us still preserve it. For those of us who have wasted it, there is still opportunity for us to regain it in the sacrament of reconciliation. Let us go, therefore, to confessional.
Another thing we must know, today, is that the righteousness we receive at baptism is effected by the baptism of our Lord. When He descended into river Jordan, He did so not to be cleansed of sin but to make the water of baptism holy and to give it cleansing power so that whoever is baptised in His name will be cleansed of sins and made righteous. Hence, St. Paul, in today's second reading, says, "But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life."
The baptism of our Lord is reported thus: "Now when all the people were baptised, and when Jesus also had been baptised and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form, as a dove, and a voice came from heaven, 'You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.'” The way Jesus Christ approached His own baptism teaches us how to approach our own baptism. We need to approach baptism prayerfully and with seriousness. Attending Catechism class is important.
On this day that we celebrate the baptism of the Lord, God calls on us to preach the message of forgiveness of sins; He wants us to comfort His people with such goodnews. He puts it thus: "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins." With baptism sins are forgiven, iniquity is pardoned and penance is over. "By Baptism all sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal sins, as well as all punishment for sin" (CCC no. 1263). The glory of God is also revealed upon the baptised. Prophet Isaiah assures us thus: "And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed". Baptism is a wonderful experience.

Almighty ever-living God, who, when Christ had been baptized in the River Jordan and as the Holy Spirit descended upon him, solemnly declared him your beloved Son, grant that your children by adoption, reborn of water and the Holy Spirit, may always be well pleasing to you. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke