The Feast of Baptism of the Lord

 

By Baptism we make ourselves fit for our blessed hope.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Year C, January 12th, 2025 Texts: Isaiah40:1-5.9-11; Psalm104:1-4,24,25,27-30; Titus2:11-14; 3:4-7; Luke3:15-16.21-22 

Today is the feast of Baptism of the Lord. Today’s liturgical readings reveals some truths about Baptism. The truth reinforces the words of our Lord: "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit" (John 3:5). 

First, Baptism cleanses us of our sins. Prophet Isaiah, in today’s first reading, says, “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.” The reception of Baptism brings an end to God’s wrath and invokes God’s good pleasure. 

Second, Baptism has eschatological meaning; it makes us fit for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ. Isaiah introduces it in the first reading thus: A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” In those words, Isaiah invites us to Baptism, for by Baptism we make ourselves fit for our blessed hope. 

Prophet Isaiah tells us in metaphoric terms the effects of Baptism. In his words: “Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken." By Baptism the Lord fills every valley in us, makes low every mountain and hill, levels every uneven ground and makes every rough places plain to manifest His glory upon us. 

What Isaiah tells us in metaphoric terms, St. Paul tells us in clear terms. He says, “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”. We receive at Baptism the grace to renounce irreligion and worldly passions and to live life pleasing to God. 

What prophet Isaiah and St. Paul tell us is that Baptism refine us, it recreate us and makes us new. This brings to mind St. Paul’s words: “old things are passed away...” Baptism introduces us into Christ. We hear in the gospel reading the grace we receive at Baptism into Christ. We read: “he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” 

We receive the Holy Spirit which refines us as fire refines gold. The Holy Spirit is the grace that refines us, makes us renounce irreligion and worldly passions, life sober, upright, and godly life in this world. In the words of Isaiah, the Holy Spirit fills the valley in us, makes low mountain and hill, levels uneven ground and makes plain rough places. 

The gospel introduces the Baptism our Lord received immediately after our Baptism in Him. This has literary meaning of comparison and connection. While Holy Spirit descended on Jesus Christ in form of dove, we receive Him as of fire (Acts 2:1-4). He came down on Jesus Christ as of dove, announcing salvation and ends of God’s wrath to the world (Gen. 8:11). He comes down on us as of fire at Baptism to purify and refine us (Acts 4:31; 2Tim. 1:7). 

Baptism in Christ also makes us children of God and be pleasing to Him. We see this in the Baptism of our Lord: “And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.’" 

Prayer 

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 (Collect) 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke