He Made Waters Holy for our Purification (Is 40:1-5,9-11; Tit 2:11-14; 3:4-7; Lk 3:15-16,21-22 (Baptism of the Lord – C)

 

He Made Waters Holy for our Purification

 

(Is 40:1-5,9-11; Tit 2:11-14; 3:4-7; Lk 3:15-16,21-22 (Baptism of the Lord – C)

 

“Behold the Lamb of God. Behold him who takes away the sins of the world” (Divine  Office)

 

Today we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The baptism of Jesus is reported in three Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The Baptism of Jesus is a manifestation of God in Jesus, another “epiphany.”  In Luke’s Gospel, all three members of the Trinity are manifested: God the Father in the voice, the Holy Spirit descending, and Jesus the Son in the river Jordan.

 

Why did the Son of God desire to be baptized in the rivers of Jordan? Does the water purify the holy people or does the most holy purify the waters to purify the others? John the Baptist tried to stop Jesus from being baptized by him saying, “I need to be baptized by You. Do You come to me? Jesus told him, “Let it be done now” (Mt 3:14-15). St Maximus of Turin understands it well. He says that Christ is baptized, not to be made holy by the waters of Jordan, but to make the water holy to purify the waters which he touched. When the Savior is washed, all water for our baptism is made clean, and purified at its source for dispensing baptismal grace to the people of future ages.

 

The column of fire went before the sons of Israel through the Red Sea so they could follow on their brave journey. In the same way, the column went first through the waters to prepare a path for those who follow Jesus through the waters of Baptism. At the time of the Exodus, the column provided light for the people. Now it gives light to the hearts of believers in  Baptism. We are children of Adam and Eve and once again made children of God through Baptism. Baptism is the beginning of a lifelong call.

 

The Baptized Jesus is ever ready to renew and refashion us in his likeness through the gift and working of the Holy Spirit - and he anoints us for a mission as missionaries of his kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy (Rom 14:17). We are called to be the “light and salt” of his kingdom that radiate the beauty and aroma of his mercy and goodness to those around us (Mt 5:13,15-16). The Lord Jesus wants his love and truth to shine through us so that many others may find new life, freedom, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Gregory of Nazianzus, an early church Father tells us: “Let us be buried with Christ by Baptism to rise with him; let us go down with him to be raised with him; and let us rise with him to be glorified with him.”

 

The committed Christian ascertains the effects of an action upon our sharing in the Life of Christ. We are spiritualized.  We are sons and daughters of God.  We have dignity, the dignity of the One about whom the voice from heaven said at his Baptism, “This is my son, my beloved, in whom I am well pleased.”

 

“This is God’s dwelling place among men. He shall live with them” (Divine Office)