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Archdiocese of Washington Jesus Does Not Go into the Water Alone; He Takes Us with Him -- A Reflection on the Baptism of the Lord Msgr. Charles Pope • January 10, 2016 • Today's feast of the Baptism of the Lord is a time to reflect not only on the Lord's baptism but on our own. In an extended sense, when Christ is baptized so are we, for we are members of His Body. As Christ enters the water, He makes holy the water that will baptize us. He enters the water and we follow. In these waters, He acquires...

by Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D. Other Articles by Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D. Baptism of the Lord: Our Power 01/09/06 At first glance, the scene makes little sense. John’s strident call to repentance provokes an overwhelming response. People of all shapes and sizes flock to him in the wilderness. They are baptized in the Jordan as a sign of repentance and cleansing. Suddenly, out of the crowd steps John’s cousin Jesus. Wait a minute. What’s Jesus, the sinless one, doing in a crowd of repenting sinners? What’s He doing coming forward to be baptized by John, who is by his own admission, inferior to...

by Fr. Paul Scalia Other Articles by Fr. Paul Scalia Heaven, a Dove, a Voice 01/08/05 At your Baptism, did you notice the heavens opening? The Spirit of God descending like a dove? Perhaps a voice coming from the heavens? No, you probably did not. Even if you were old enough to know what was going on, you would not have noticed these things. Because they happened spiritually. But they happened nonetheless. At our Lord’s Baptism these things happened visibly and audibly: "The heavens were opened for Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming...