12. THE LIFE OF JESUS: 1ST LUMINOUS MYSTERY - BAPTISM IN THE JORDAN RIVER

APPETIZER: "All the Old Covenant prefigurations find their fulfillment in Christ Jesus. He begins his public life after having himself baptized by St. John the Baptist in the Jordan.After his resurrection Christ gives this mission to his apostles: "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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."  Our Lord voluntarily submitted himself to the baptism of St. John, intended for sinners, in order to "fulfill all righteousness." Jesus' gesture is a manifestation of his self-emptying. The Spirit who had hovered over the waters of the first creation descended then on the Christ as a prelude of the new creation, and the Father revealed Jesus as his "beloved Son." (CCC #1223-1224)

MAIN COURSE: The Baptism of the Lord presents us with Jesus now all grown up into a young adult, about 30 years of age.  He has spent the bulk of his time in the little village of Nazareth, living and working in an ordinary life as a craftsman. But now the divinely appointed moment has come for him to step out of his quiet every-day life and enter into the opening chapters of his life as the Messiah, the Savior, the Promised One sent to lead humanity back to God. 

He approaches his cousin, St. John the Baptist at the Jordan River, eager to inaugurate this public mission.   He does this, not because he has any sins to be washed away, but to show that he is in solidarity with all of us, sinners.   In some mystical but real way, we are all united with him, gathered together in him, at that moment as He delves into its waters. He makes his first public appearance by identifying us who need to repent of sin, because he is the Lamb of God who has come to free us from sin and give us new life in God through his ultimate sacrifice on the cross. 

it is important to know that John the Baptist's baptism was NOT the Sacrament of Baptism for Jesus had not yet instituted that Sacrament.  At that time in Jewish history, it was simply a religious ritual that showed a person's desire to turn away from sin and live according to God's commands. It could be seen by us as something similar to blessing ourselves with holy water and making an Act of Contrition.  However, the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River does have some valuable lessons to teach us about the Sacrament of Baptism.  

Jesus shows us by his example that Baptism is our first step to a new and meaningful relationship with God. And what happened to Him at his baptism is both a sign and a promise of what happens to each one of us at ours. By reflecting on this gospel, we can discover some extremely important truths about the Sacrament of Baptism: it destines us for Heaven, it fills us with the Holy Spirit, and it makes us beloved children of God.

The first thing we hear about after Jesus comes up out of the water is that heaven was opened. And this is precisely what Baptism does for us. It re-opens the way to Heaven which was closed to us by the original sin of Adam and Eve.  Recall that in the beginning of our history, the first humans were given the choice of living in obedience to our Creator or of living life on their own terms, separated from him. They freely chose to turn their backs on God and turned down the gift of eternal life with Him in Heaven. And so, the heritage they passed to us their descendants, was this spiritual deficiency, this spiritual alienation from God and heaven. Every single human being since then – except for Jesus and Mary – have been conceived and born into our world in this spiritually-challenged condition we call original sin. But Jesus came precisely to undo what the first humans had done. His mission as God-in-the-flesh was to give each one of us a chance to accept God’s invitation and re-enter an intimate relationship with him. And the first step in making this choice is baptism.

The next marvelous thing we see at the Jordan is the Holy Spirit coming down upon Jesus under the appearance of a dove. The dove is a universal human symbol of peace and it is by the waters of baptism that we become reconciled and at peace with God. We receive the Holy Spirit whom St. Paul tells us makes us the adopted children of God (see Galatians 4:6). This indwelling presence and power of the Holy Spirit is a baptismal gift that is the core of our intimate relationship with God. It is a gift that keeps-on-giving throughout our lives, making us His living, walking, breathing temples. Imagine that!  

Finally, God the Father’s voice was audibly heard declaring Jesus to be His Beloved Son in whom He is well pleased. And this is exactly what God the Father says about each one of us who have become spiritually one with Jesus in Baptism: we are His beloved adopted children in whom He finds delight! The Scriptures assure us that God delights over each one of us personally. Not because of what we’ve done but because of who we are: his adopted children.  And this personal love of God touches our hearts and transforms us from the inside out, giving us the desire, the grace, the spiritual power, to live and love and delight in God in return.

The Baptism of Jesus has always been a favorite story among the Christian people, a favorite celebration in the liturgy and a favorite subject to be painted or scultpted in art. I think this is the case not so much because of what it says about Christ per se, but more-so because of what it says about us.  Or more precisely, what is says about the marvelous and awesome things that God does for us through, with and in our beloved Brother and Lord, Jesus.

DOGGIE BAG: Here are a few things for you to take away for your spiritual snacking throughout the day:

Renewal of Baptismal Promises:  It is the custom in some cultures and families to renew one's baptismal promises especially on the anniversary of baptism. This can be done by simply making the intention to do so without using any special words. Or the actual rite from baptism can be used where we repeat "I do" several times in response to rejection of sin and belief in the Creed.  The following prayer is a simply way to renew one's baptism as well and can be prayed any time, not just on a baptismal anniversary.

O Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I renew my baptismal promises, renouncing Satan, his allurements and his evil works. I promise to live as a good Christian. Rekindle the grace of Baptism within me so that I can be an instrument of peace and a witness to Jesus among those with whom I live, work and socialize.   Amen.

Memorable Quotes: 

"The baptismal promises have to be reaffirmed every day, so that baptism ‘Christifies’ whomever has received it, rendering us truly another Christ.” (Pope Francis, April 11, 2018)

"The Baptism of Jesus makes us rediscover the gift and the beauty of being a community of baptized, that is, of sinners — we all are sinners — saved by the grace of Christ, truly integrated, by the work of the Holy Spirit, in the filial relationship of Jesus with the Father, welcomed into the bosom of Mother Church, making possible a brotherhood that knows no barriers or borders. May the Virgin Mary help all of us Christians to maintain an ever keen and grateful awareness of our own Baptism and to faithfully follow the path opened by this Sacrament of our rebirth. Ever with humility, gentleness and firmness." (Pope Francis, Jan. 8. 2017)

Scripture Verse to Memorize: "Because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” (Galatians 4:6)