Mt 3:13-17 The Baptism Of Our Lord

The Baptism of the Lord
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Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.  John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?"  Jesus said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness."

Life begins at 40!  We've all heard this before.  But it's not true.  Life really begins at baptism.   

Baptism is an extremely important sacrament.  It should never be put off.  Its importance comes directly from Jesus Christ, who said:  "Unless one is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of Heaven" (Jn 3:5).  It's that important!  It even makes up an essential ingredient in the Lord's final command to his disciples:  "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit."  After Pentecost, St. Peter's first words to new believers were:  "Repent, and be baptized..." (Acts 2:38).

Baptism is important.

The Lord's baptism.  Even the Lord got baptized!  How incredible is that?  In fact, it constituted His very first public act.  As soon as the Lord left home, He went straight to John, got in line and got baptized.  But why?  Because the Lord is desperate to be with us.  He wants to be close to us.  He wants to be united to us.  He wants to identify himself with us.  But the ultimate reason is because He loves us.  And He wants us to know that.  He wants us to know we are never alone, not even when we full of sins. 

This simple gesture is proof enough of God's amazingly shocking humility.  It wasn't enough for Him to become a man.  He even had to become a "sinner."  Of course he wasn't.  But who would have known, except the Father?

Our baptism.   Our baptism is not just a cute sacrament; it is also a rite of passage.  It can never be just a pretty little ceremony.  It should be the mark of something  (someone) new.  The beginning of an exciting journey. On your mark, get set, go!  

Those who are getting baptized, including babies, should be prepared to pass through this rite of passage.  That is, there must be a conversion that has taken place beforehand, for to get baptized into Christ means to have accepted His plan, His role, and made it their very own.  I must take up my cross and follow Him.  He must increase.  I must decrease. 

Every time this happens the heavens will open and we will hear the words our Lord heard:  "This is my beloved child, with whom I am well pleased."

Audio of my homily is available here.