Today we celebrate the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, the beginning of His public ministry.  In the first reading, we hear Isaiah prophesize about One who is to come… “My chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit.” Isaiah goes on to describe what this Servant will do, and what He will be; “a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.”  In today’s Gospel reading from Luke, we hear of Jesus’ baptism; specifically, that, as Jesus was praying, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him, and God spoke from the heavens saying, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Jesus has just been revealed as the One of whom Isaiah spoke.  

As the Son of God, Jesus didn’t need to be baptized, but in doing so He showed His solidarity with the rest of humanity.  He showed us the importance of baptism, and He showed His willingness to enter our sinful world to save us.  And, maybe, Jesus needed to hear those words of encouragement at the beginning of His ministry.

Throughout His ministry, Jesus behaved just as Isaiah had prophesied.  He also commissioned His disciples to carry on in His name.  We have been given the same Spirit who descended upon Jesus at our baptism, and through baptism we are called to continue Jesus’ mission.  We are to be a “light for the nations”, to “bring out those who live in darkness.”  We need to imagine God saying the same thing to us as He said to Jesus…you are my beloved, with whom I am well pleased…and encouraged by those words, continue the work that Jesus started.

    Reflection by parishioner John Ceglarek