The baptism of our Lord. January 7, 2023.

Mark 1,4-1

Rev. Neli Miranda 

Tradition reminds us that the beginning of every year is a promising time to make New Year’s resolutions. On the other hand, in our Christian spirituality the New Year coincides with the celebration of Jesus’ baptism, which reminds us of the call to renew our own baptismal vows. This great coincidence allows us to begin the New Year with new proposals guided by our Christian commitment.

From December 25^th to January 5^th, we celebrated Christmas Season. And yesterday, January 6^th, we began a new season, which begins with the Epiphany Day when the Glory of God is manifested to all the peoples of the earth in baby Jesus. After the glorious events of Christmas and the Epiphany, the infant Jesus returned to Nazareth with his parents, and there, under their loving care, Jesus has reached maturity and plenitude in his life; he is now ready to consecrate himself totally to God.

Today, Jesus comes to the Jordan River to be baptized by the teacher and prophet John the Baptist. Mark does not write it, but the other evangelists point out that Jesus comes humbly among his people, as one of them to be baptized. In coming to this moment, Jesus is validating John’s ministry who has called the people to turn to God, to prepare themselves to enter the Kingdom of God. In his announcement, John proclaims the coming of the One sent by God, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (1,7-8). Jesus knows that John is speaking about him, and he is ready to begin his ministry. What a call!

Very briefly, Mark speaks of Jesus’ baptism but pays special attention to the divine manifestation, the Epiphany that takes place in the Jordan River, “And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him” (1,10).

Jesus’ baptism, his consecration to God, receives a divine manifestation in response. In the face of his determined action, Jesus sees the heavens torn apart and the divine presence descending upon him! The child raised in the forgotten and insignificant Nazareth receives God’s approval, and a voice coming from heaven says, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased” (1,11). As a Christian, have you ever seen the heavens torn apart, have you ever heard the divine voice who is pleased with you?

Does Jesus know the implications of his consecration to God? Yes, he does! From this moment on, like Mary his mother, Jesus leans on God, and he will dedicate his whole life to the proclamation of the good news of the Kingdom of God. His commitment to God was manifested in the denunciation of oppressive systems, in the daily pursuit of justice for the disadvantaged, in loving and dignifying the despised, in healing the sick, and feeding the hungry; in short, in making God present among the people. This is the way Jesus baptized the world with the Holy Spirit, the Divine Presence!!

Dear sisters and brothers, today we come to the Jordan River to witness Jesus’ baptism and the glorious Epiphany that invite us to follow him and renew our own baptismal vows. On this glorious day, we are invited to see the heavens torn apart and hear the divine voice in response to our commitment. This decisive moment leads us to God, we hear the divine voice assuring us that we are children of God, and we are filled with the divine presence, the Holy Spirit, who descends upon us. Thus, the divine presence empowers us to face any adversity, challenge, temptation, and any suffering that may lie ahead of each of us.

So, dear sisters and brothers, on this glorious day, let’s declare a New Year’s resolution: our own consecration to God by the renewal of our baptismal vows!

Amen.