January 11, 2026

Feast of the Lord’s Baptism (A)

Beloved through Baptism

Msgr. Thomas Gervasio

 
Today’s feast brings to a conclusion the Christmas Season and the Gospel “fast forwards” thirty years bringing us to the Jordan where the Lord is baptized. Like his Epiphany, the Baptism of Jesus is also a manifestation, revelation of the Lord’s identity and mission.
 
Why would Jesus approach John to be baptized? As God, he had no need of John’s baptism of repentance. Even the Baptist wonders why he is there. Jesus comes to the Jordan in order to place himself in the midst of sinners. It was an expression of the very mission of his life—an act of solidarity, a way of taking our side, a way of sympathizing with us. It was not an act of repentance but an act of revelation as the Father’s Beloved who would in obedience take upon himself the sins of the world. It is the inauguration of his public life and ministry.
 
While the Lord’s Baptism is different from our own, we can still draw a few parallels. Through the simple pouring of water at our baptism, outwardly nothing changes, but inwardly, through a divine mystery, God takes hold of us and marks us forever as God’s beloved. What the Father said of Jesus at the Jordan, he says also of us: “You are my beloved.” Our Lord clung to these words throughout his life. They allowed him to live in a world that praised him and rejected him. In the midst of all that befell him, Jesus knew that the Father would never leave him. 
 
We, too need to cling to those words when we are wounded by others, times when we feel dejected and even worthless. We are God’s beloved and nothing can change that. God’s love never leaves us even when we sin. God lovingly awaits that we turn to him imploring his mercy. Being God’s beloved is the indelible, permanent character Baptism imparts to us that remains into eternity. 
 
Baptism also inaugurates our mission as disciples—but not a mission we carry out not alone. The baptized are not “lone rangers.” We are made members of the Church—the Church the Lord founded because he knew that following him we need one another. We need the Church’s guidance and the graces that flow from the sacraments she celebrates. 
 
Baptism is the essential, foundational event of our Christian life. A little quiz: How many here know the date of your baptism…the name of the priest or deacon who baptized you, the names of your godparents? The Church asks to us remember our baptism every time we take holy water from the font when we enter the church. We should make a proper and reverent sign of the cross!
 
Administering baptism is one of the joys of my priestly ministry. Although crying and screaming babies can be distracting, they don’t annoy me at all. If a baby should cry while I pour the water, I tell parents that it is a cry of joy—a sign that their son will become a priest or their daughter will become a Sister. You can imagine how they love that!
 
Lord, I praise and thank you for my parents who brought me to church to be baptized. They understood how the precious a gift it is. They provided for my material, bodily needs but they took care of the spiritual, my soul. Continue to work deeply within my heart so that I might be faithful to my baptismal promises. Guide my footsteps and fill my heart with joy at being your beloved. Make me a committed and zealous member of your Church as she guides me along the way to heaven.