Celebrating the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
As we commemorate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Fr Edmund Power, OSB, shares his reflections on the day’s liturgical readings.
By Fr Edmund Power, OSB
Do you know the date of your baptism? I recently discovered that mine is January 18, just six days after today’s feast. The Baptism of the Lord marks the conclusion of the Christmas Season, also known as the “Epiphany” Season, where we witness manifestations of the Lord’s presence in our world, from His birth to the beginning of His public ministry.
Through baptism, we symbolically die and rise to new life with Christ, becoming partakers of the divine nature. The elements of air, earth, fire, and water play a significant role in this spiritual rebirth. John the Baptist speaks of baptizing with the Holy Spirit and fire, symbolizing purification and new life.
Jesus’ baptism in the River Jordan sanctifies the waters for all time, as He is the Lamb of God who washes away our sins. The Father’s declaration of love at Jesus’ baptism extends to each of us, reminding us of our belovedness and God’s pleasure in us.
Today’s gospel reading from Luke highlights the moment when Jesus was praying after His baptism, emphasizing the importance of prayer in our spiritual journey. As we enter Ordinary Time in the Jubilee Year 2025, let us remember that God’s love fills our hearts with hope that never disappoints.
Let us embrace the message of the Year: “hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:5).
