The Baptism of the Lord
Pastor’s Column
January 12, 2014
Do you know on what day you were baptized? Many Christians do not remember this date but baptism was the very beginning of our consecrated life in faith! When a baptism is performed, one of the first actions done is to place a cross on the person’s forehead and to claim that person for Christ our Savior. All of us who are baptized have actually been claimed for Christ!
Non-Catholics sometimes wonder why Catholic churches have a bowl of “holy water” (or a baptismal font) at the entrance of the church. As we pass by, we dip our hands into this water and make the sign of the cross on ourselves. Holy water is a reminder of our baptism. Whenever we make the sign of the cross, we are reminding ourselves of this first cross traced on our forehead, and that we have been claimed for Christ our Savior and that we belong to him! Though we can sometimes do this ritual without thinking about it, it is so important because with this gesture we are recommitting ourselves to our baptismal promises.
Those baptized as infants or small children still do not have faith. The church accepts the faith of the parents and godparents on behalf of the child, who are then committing themselves to pass the faith on to their children by their words and deeds. The minister performing the baptism asks of them, “Do you clearly understand what you are undertaking?” Most, of course, say yes right away! But do any of us really comprehend this responsibility? It’s a tough job. It is not only godparents who have this charge but all of us are called to be good examples to others, living out our baptismal promises by our words and deeds. So much in the world can attempt to steal our faith, which is our most precious possession on earth. Our faith gives us: direction and guidance, an understanding of the purpose of our lives, that we are loved by God, and that we know where we’re going because God is guiding us.
The funeral liturgy echoes baptism. There, holy water is used on behalf of the person for the last time. As was true at their baptism, a candle is lit and the sign of the cross is placed alongside the body. Clearly, baptism begins our formal faith journey in the church and the funeral liturgy celebrates its completion.
Why was Christ baptized? After all, he didn’t have any sins to wash away, nor did he need faith. But by being baptized, Christ, the Son of God, signaled that he is one of us. Though sinless, he was prepared to take on all our sins and failings so that we might be forgiven – both in our own baptisms and in the sacrament of reconciliation.
Father Gary
Posted by Dr. Scott Hahn on 01.09.14 |
Readings:
Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10
Acts 10:34-38
Matthew 3:13-17
Jesus presents himself for John’s baptism in today’s Gospel, not because He is a sinner, but to fulfill the word of God proclaimed by His prophets. He must be baptized to reveal that He is the Christ (“anointed one”) - the Spirit-endowed Servant promised by Isaiah in today’s First Reading.
His baptism marks the start of a new world, a new creation. As Isaiah prophesied, the Spirit descends upon Jesus like a dove - as the Spirit hovered over the face of the deep in the beginning (see Genesis 1:2).
As it was in the beginning, at the Jordan also the majestic voice of the Lord thunders above the waters. The Father opens the heavens and declares Jesus to be His “beloved son.”
God had long prepared the Israelites for His coming, as Peter preaches in today’s Second Reading. Jesus was anticipated in the “beloved son” given to Abraham (see Genesis 22:2,12,26), and in the calling of Israel as His “first-born son” (see Exodus 4:22-23). Jesus is the divine son begotten by God, the everlasting heir promised to King David (see Psalm 2:7; 2 Samuel 7:14).
He is “a covenant of the people [Israel]” and “a light to the nations,” Isaiah says. By the new covenant made in His blood (see 1 Corinthians 11:25), God has gathered the lost sheep of Israel together with whoever fears Him in every nation.
Christ has become the source from which God pours out his Spirit on Israelites and Gentiles alike (see Acts 10:45). In Baptism, all are anointed with that same Spirit, made beloved sons and daughters of God. Indeed, we are Christians - literally “anointed ones.”
We are the “sons of God” in today’s Psalm - called to give glory to His name in His temple. Let us pray that we remain faithful to our calling as His children, that our Father might call us what he calls His Son - “my beloved. . . in whom I am well pleased.”