BAPTISM OF THE LORD

You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.

Lk 3:15-16, 21-22

GOSPEL EXPLANATION

I am baptizing you with water...He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire. Hence, at Pentecost the Holy Spirit came as tongues of fire.

The baptism of John is not our Sacrament of Baptism. It does not confer the Holy Spirit. It does not cleanse from sin. It does not make us children of God.

The Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove.

The Holy Spirit became visible like the form of a dove, NOT in the bodily form of a dove. It’s like describing a bat. It looks like a flying mouse, but it is certainly not a mouse.

You are my beloved Son. With you I am well-pleased.

The mention of beloved son recalls Isaac. He was the beloved son of Abraham. God asked Abraham to offer his son Isaac on Mt. Moriah as a sacrifice. He was about to do that when an angel of the Lord stopped him. In the same way Jesus himself in sacrifice on Mt. Calvary.

THE BAPTISM OF JESUS

The Baptism of Jesus is the occasion for the Father to reveal Jesus as the Messiah. This is the second epiphany. Epiphany means manifestation of God. The first epiphany was the adoration of the Magi. There is a also a third, the miracle at Cana.

The Baptism of the Lord is not only the occasion of an epiphany. It also marks the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus among the people of Israel.

OUR BAPTISM

I shall explain some of the elements in the Rite of the Sacrament of Baptism: parents, ninong and ninang (godparents), water, formula of baptism, oil, white garment and candle.

Parents

In some places the parents are not present at baptism. The mother is busy preparing the food for the baptismal party while the father is on a drinking spree with his friends.But parents should be present because the child is going to be baptized in the faith of the parents and it will be their duty to raise the child as a good Catholic by word and example.

Ninong and Ninang (Godparents)

There should at least be one ninong or ninang who is chosen specifically to help the parents in raising the child to be a good Catholic. This ninong or ninang should therefore be a good Catholic and is willing to take this responsibility.

We should also understand the importance of the gift-giving role of godparents. Gifts make the child happy. Birthdays and Christmas become joyful occasions. A happy childhood is important for the healthy emotional growth of children.

Water

Water cleanses. We use it to wash dishes and clothes. We use it for bathing. The water of Baptism cleanses us of sin, both original sin and personal sin.

Water is necessary to sustain life. The human body is 60% water. The water of Baptism brings life. Those who are baptized are re-born as sons and daughters of God. They are not just given the label of God’s children. They really become his children.

I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

When a mother declares, “My Jeremy takes his studies seriously”, she declares Jeremy as her own. Being baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity means that God declares that we belong to him. God recognizes us as his own.

Oil of Catechumens

In the Old Testament oil was used to anoint kings, prophets and priests. The newly baptized is anointed with oil because he shares in the three-fold office of Jesus Christ, that of king, prophet and priest.

This priesthood is called baptismal priesthood to differentiate it from the minis-terial priesthood of those who are ordained. The ministerial priesthood gives to the ordained minister the power to celebrate the Mass. The baptismal priesthood gives to the baptized the right to participate in the Mass.

White garment

It signifies the new life of a child of God received in baptism as well as the cleansing from original sin and personal sin. It was said that when Constantine the Great was baptized toward the end of his life, he took great pride in wearing the white garment instead of his kingly robes.

Lighted candle 

It signifies the faith that in the future the child should live for all to see clearly. It also represents the light of Christ. The child no longer lives in the shadow of sin but in holiness.

CONCLUSION

Try this exercise at home.

While sitting at your desk, make clockwise circles with your right foot. While doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction.

In the same way as baptized Christians the life we lead must follow the faith we profess with our lips.