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Mark 1:7-11

This is what John the Baptist proclaimed:
“One mightier than I is coming after me.
I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.
I have baptized you with water;
he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee
and was baptized in the Jordan by John.
On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open
and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.
And a voice came from the heavens,
“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

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Yes this reading may sound familiar, as it was the Gospel for Friday.  Today the Church celebrates the Baptism of the Lord.

Why would Jesus need to be baptized?  We believe that baptism cleanses us from the stains of original sin and erases any of our personal sins committed until our baptism.  This was a wonderful thing for me when I was baptized at the age of 18 – I was cleansed of original sin and all of my sins until that day were forgiven – without going to confession!

But we believe that Jesus was sinless.  He was not born with original sin nor did He commit any sins.  Then why did He need to be baptized by John?

He did not NEED to be baptized, but He CHOSE to be baptized in solidarity with us.  God did not NEED to become man as a little child born of a virgin, but God CHOSE to become one of us to save us.  The same is true about His baptism.  Jesus CHOSE to be baptized in solidarity with us and to sanctify the waters of baptism forever.

Jesus’ baptism was also one of the great epiphanies (or manifestations) of His divinity.  Those who witnessed the baptism saw the “Holy Spirit, like a dove descending upon” Jesus.  They also heard the voice from heaven say, “You are my beloved Son; with whom I am well pleased”.  Wow!  Imagine witnessing that scene!

What does this mean for us today?  Jesus wants to be one with us.  He took on everything that we take on, except sin.  This should give us hope and confidence that our Lord walks this journey with us.  We are never alone.  Jesus understands everything we go through.  Everything.

Take heart and have a blessed day!
Fr. Burke

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