Mt. 3: 13-17
Today we keep the baptism of our Lord Jesus. In the last few weeks, we were contemplating the infancy narratives of Jesus and today we meditate on the baptism of our Lord and with that, we enter into the public ministry of Jesus. We might have reflected many times on why Jesus needed to receive baptism, the baptism of repentance from John? We see in this account that John, the baptizer himself brings this fact to the attention of Jesus. We can also be sure that this was not ‘the moment’ of Jesus’ mission, why because He was convinced of his identity as Son of God. Then what would be the message this particular feast convey to us?
The first readings of the day lead us to have a deeper understanding of this feast. The prophet Isaiah prophesied about the servant of Yahweh upon whom He sent His spirit, who surrenders his life fully to the will of his Master even to the extent of intense suffering and death. When John points to Jesus that it was him who was supposed to receive baptism from Jesus, He gently reminds John that “It is fitting for us to fulfill all the righteousness.” (Mt. 3:15) Jesus willingly allows all the prophecy or the Word of God inspired to him to be fulfilled in his life. We see in Jesus a person who is so passionate about doing the will of his Father. Jesus said: My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work.” (Jn. 4:34). At this moment, we perceive the manifestation of Holy Trinity in the redemptive mission of Jesus, the accompanying presence of the Holy Spirit and abiding presence of the Abba who proclaims: “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.” (Mt. 3:17)
I believe we too are called to enter into this experience of communion with the Holy Trinity. Jesus says: “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” (Jn.14:23) When we live our life according to the Word of God like Jesus who always listened, proclaimed and fulfilled it, we too become the beloved sons and daughters of our Abba. The sacrament of baptism invites us to reflect on this fact, we will have our earthly parents, and however, we are called to grow as the spiritual children of God like Jesus.