Homily – Deacon Pat Kearns
The Baptism of our Lord (Year B) Mark
1:7-11
Today we celebrate the
Lord’s baptism by John in the Jordan River. This celebration marks a turning
point in the Church’s liturgical calendar. This weekend the Christmas season ends
and we will once again return to ordinary time. Although today’s Gospel
message is short in length, having only 6 sentences, it contains an abundance
of meaning for us as followers of Christ. We are presented with
an example of Faith, Humility, and also the revelation of the Trinity: Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit.
The Gospel begins with
John proclaiming that one greater than himself will be coming, that he is not
worthy to be compared to one that is to come, and that there will be a new type
on baptism of much greater importance than what he can administer. John is quick to direct
attention away from himself and onto the awaited messiah. He exhibits sincere
and true humility. He also clarifies that
there will be a notable and profound difference between his baptism of water
and that of a baptism with the Holy Spirit. In John’s baptism, as
with the other rites of the Old Testament, grace was only signified or
symbolized. In his baptism the external act of cleansing was just that, an
outward gesture of a desire for repentance. However, the new
baptism, the one instituted by Christ not only signifies grace, but is the
effective cause of grace, it actually confers grace.
Saint Pius X explained,
“Baptism confers the first sanctifying grace and the supernatural virtues,
taking away Original Sin and any other personal sins [as with an adult baptism],
as well as the entire debt of punishment which the baptized person owes for
sin. In addition, baptism impresses the Christian Character in the soul and
makes it able to receive the other Sacraments.” Powerful, isn’t it? It all
starts with baptism.
I think it is also
pertinent to point out that this act of baptism by Jesus is also his initial
act of becoming public and beginning his public ministry. Until then, his life
was mostly hidden.
Often the question is
asked, “Why did Jesus need to be baptized?” especially if his was without sin? The answer is, “He
didn’t,” at least not in the same sense as to why we must be baptized. Yet, His baptismal act
not only connected him with all of humanity it also set a precedent for others
to follow. He in essence was leading the way and teaching by example. And it was through His
baptism that sanctified the waters of baptism for all who were to follow for
all of eternity, and also revealed to us the Holy Trinity. On coming up and out of
the water the heavens were torn open and the Spirit descended upon Him like a
dove. And a voice came from heaven claiming Jesus as God’s son. There it is! The Trinity revealed.
- Jesus as the Son of God
- The Holy Spirit expressed as a dove
- And God speaking from heaven
This baptism was the
public manifestation of Jesus as Son of God and as Messiah, ratified by the presence
of the Blessed Trinity.
Saint Thomas Aquinas
described the event as follows: “The Holy Spirit descended visibly in bodily
form upon Christ when he was baptized so that we may believe Him to descend
invisibly upon all those who are baptized afterwards.” Yes, we must have faith
to believe, yet Christ and God knew that, and that is why they gave us a sign
to help us believe.
And there are a few
more things for us to consider from this short Gospel reading. In Christ’s baptism He
laid the foundation for a new dispensation of grace. From that moment the baptized
received remission from sin, became a child of God, a member of His church, and
a citizen of heaven. This baptism becomes
the gateway to the life of grace and the door which gives access to the other Sacraments. It is a necessary act for
a life in Christ. It also defines our rights
and responsibilities as a Christian, our privileges, and our mission. It is through our
baptism, and living out of our baptismal promises that unites us with Christ
and in this union we can find the strength to go about doing good and living as
beloved sons and daughters by faith in the Son of God who lives in us. It is the duty of the
baptized then to make a life of grace, a daily life of avoiding sin.
Now knowing this, let
us take a moment and reflect upon our lives, our actions, our habits, and our
interests, especially in light of who were are called to be as sons and
daughters of God. We are called to be
holy, disciplined, charitable, forgiving, compassionate, and most of all,
loving. Well, do we hit the
mark? Or is there room for improvement? Probably some room for
improvement, at least in my case, maybe in yours as well.
So where do we begin? All it takes is one visit
with the priest for confession to purify our souls, remove the barriers of God’s
grace, and to return our souls to the state of our baptism, sinless.
In closing, and following
the example of John the Baptist, let us today respond in faith and humility, opening
ourselves to the effects of the Holy Trinity, and commit to living profoundly
deeper and meaningful lives as Christians.
All this from just six short
sentences from the Gospel of Mark! :)
Praise be Jesus Christ,
now and forever!
JMJ
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