First Reading: Is 40:1-5.9-11; Psalm: 104. R. v. 1; Second Reading: Ti 2:11-14; 3:4-7; Gospel: Lk 3:15-16.21-22 

REVITALISING OUR BAPTISMAL PROMISES

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

Last Sunday we celebrated the Epiphany of the Lord which commemorates the revelation of the Christ child to the Gentile world. Christ was still a baby at this time. Today, a week later, the Church celebrates the Baptism of the Lord who was thirty years of age when this remarkable event happened by the waters of the Jordon. You would agree with me that one week is too small for this transition in age – from infancy to adulthood. But the Biblical writings are not exhaustive of the life of Christ, hence the truncation.

The gospel of today is divided into two sections: John’s rejection of the title “Messiah” and the introduction of Christ as the true Messiah at his baptism.

John appeared in style comparable to the prophet Elijah. His attire, the garment of a carmel’s hair with a leather belt about his waist was reminiscent of Elijah’s outfit. This explains John’s prophetic role as the Elijah who was to come before the appearing of the Messiah (Mal 4:5-6). John was sensational in his mission, fiery in preaching and fearless in challenging everyone regardless of status or class. His appearance and imposing personality made the people mistake him for the awaited Messiah. But John made it abundantly clear that he baptises only with water, but one mightier than he was coming who will baptise with the Holy Spirit and fire (vs. 16). John was a prophet and not the Messiah

Christ would go on to reveal himself as the true Messiah by the waters of the Jordan. The Holy Spirit descended on him and the voice of the Father revealed him as the beloved Son of God. This is what we celebrate today.

The baptism of Christ that inaugurates his public ministry has symbolic meaning. St Ambrose noted that “Our Lord was baptised because He wished, not to be cleansed, but to cleanse the waters of baptism.” The Father and the Holy Spirit that bore witness to the Son at his baptism by the Jordan river points to the Trinitarian formula in which the new baptism of Jesus Christ would be celebrated and by water (Mt 28:19-20). The descent of the Holy Spirit on Christ reveals the gift of the Holy Spirit that we shall receive at this baptism (Acts 19:1-6; 2:38). And the voice of the Father revealing Christ as his beloved Son, reveals what we shall become when baptised with the baptism of Jesus Christ (Gal 4:26-29).

So, when our Lord accepted baptism from John, it was not like others did for he was without sin. Christ accepted John’s baptism to identify with sinful humanity and to show that baptism was an indispensable requirement for every believer. However, not compulsorily the baptism of John that came to an end, but the baptism that he was to offer which came to birth by his death on the cross; an offering that is unending.

The baptism that Christ offered the Church was the baptism with the Holy Spirit and with fire as John rightly prophesied. When we received baptism in the name of the Trinity and with water, we received the seal of the Holy Spirit, the mark of God’s ownership of us. And just as Christ began his public ministry of preaching in words and deeds after his baptism; we were baptised into the life of Christ and of the Church to also witness to the gospel of Christ in words and deeds within and outside the Church. The baptism with fire comes in two ways: the fire or pain of persecution that comes with witnessing to the gospel, and the fire of the Final Judgement. If we remained faithful in our witnessing even in persecution, we shall inherit eternal life. But if we failed in our witnessing, we shall face the fire of condemnation.

This truth was prefigured even in the diet of John the herald of Christ. Biblically, the food of John, locust and honey symbolised destruction (Ex 10:14-15) and blessing (Ps 19:10). To choose the way of Christ results to blessing (honey); but to reject Christ results in destruction like the locust in the plague in Egypt. Baptism therefore comes with the demand to live accordingly as followers called to faith in Christ Jesus.   

The baptism of the Lord that we celebrate today reminds us of our own baptism that Christ himself gifted the Church. Therefore, as Christians baptised in the name of the Trinity and with water, we must remember that we have been sent into the world to witness to the gospel. Our baptism in Christ Jesus does not solely guarantee our salvation. But we must fulfil our baptismal promises in the light of the gospel by rejecting Satan and all his works. By believing in God the Father Almighty and in his Son Jesus Christ and in his gospel. And in the Holy Spirit and the Catholic teachings of the faith. Living out faithfully these baptismal promises are what we are reminded to do on this day.      

By the end of this homily, we shall all renew our baptismal promises with lighted candles and sprinkled with holy water. This is not a mere ritual but a total recommitment of ourselves to Christ in whom we were baptised into. As we do this, let us believe what we say and practice these promises faithfully and daily. When Christ was baptised and was praying, the heavens were opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him like a dove (vv. 21-22). As we renew our baptismal promises at this Mass together in prayer as one family of Christ; may the heavens open and may the Holy Spirit descend on us to reinvigorate in us the love and desire to live by the gospel of Christ. Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord Jesus, as we celebrate your baptism and recall today our own baptism, grant us the grace to be faithful to the promises we made to you when we were baptised into your life by water and in the name of the Trinity. Amen.