The Baptism of the Lord

At the moment of Jesus' Baptism by John in the Jordan, a manifestation of the Glory of the Lord and the Relationships of the Holy Trinity took place. The Scriptures make it clear that something truly mystical unfolded there. As the different Gospels present a description of what happened in that scene, it is evident that it affected all who were part of it in a profound way. Jesus was touched by it and went out into the desert for 40 days afterwards, returning to take up His public ministry. John the Baptist experienced a confirmation of his own ministry and a sense of the fulfillment for which he was looking. Bystanders saw a physical sign of the Presence of the Holy Spirit. The Father weighed in on the beginning of His Son's public ministry with the spoken affirmation of favor.

The Mystery of the Lord's Baptism points to the grace of Baptism as it is given to each Christian. There is a relationship with God, a Providential favor that is bestowed upon every son and daughter, adopted into the family of God through Baptism. The Presence and action of the Holy Spirit, although now hidden, is still very real. The humanity of Jesus first received the grace that would be poured out in time on all who believe in Him.

A call, a vocation, a ministry is entrusted to each human being who is open to receive the touch of grace. Assent in Faith to the invitation to be one with God through Jesus and to share God's Life and Love with the community of believers makes possible a public witness of relationship with God. The waters of the Jordan are a sign of the waters of Baptism that flows freely from the moment the Sacrament is received until they well up into Eternal Life.