The Baptism of the Lord
No fixed feast day in the calendar
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Jesus is baptized in the Jordan; the Holy Spirit comes down and the Father speaks from heaven
What is this feast?
The feast of the Baptism of the Lord celebrates the day when Jesus, about thirty years old, came to the Jordan River to be baptized by Saint John the Baptist. His baptism opens the public ministry of Jesus: after his days in the desert, he began to go out and preach (cf. Lk 3:23; 4:1-15). This feast closes the Christmas season: the Child of Bethlehem has grown up and now begins his mission of salvation.
The story
Saint John was preaching by the Jordan River and baptizing those who wanted to repent, which means to turn back to God. One day, Jesus came from Galilee to be baptized. Saint John tried hard to stop him, because he knew Jesus was far greater than he was. But Jesus answered: “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” (Mt 3:15). Then Saint John agreed.
As soon as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened. The Spirit of God came down like a dove and rested on him. Then the voice of the Father spoke from heaven, calling him his beloved Son (cf. Mt 3:16-17).
Jesus had no sin, so he did not need to repent. He asked to be baptized so that he could stand in line with us sinners, and to make the water holy, preparing for the Church’s Sacrament of Baptism.
Why does the Church celebrate this feast?
The Church celebrates because at the Jordan River, God showed that Jesus is his Son, and clearly revealed the Holy Trinity. This feast also reminds every Christian of the day they were baptized: on that day, you too became a beloved child of God.
A lesson for you
- Ask your parents the date of your baptism and your saint’s name, and celebrate that day every year.
- When you make the Sign of the Cross, remember that you belong to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
- Be humble like Jesus: do not look down on others, and be ready to stand side by side with everyone.
Identifying marks
- Jesus standing in the river, hands joined, eyes lowered: he has no sin, yet he humbly stands in line with sinners in order to save them (cf. Mt 3:13-15).
- Water poured from a shell onto his head: the shell is the way painters usually show it (the Gospel does not tell this detail); water is the sign of baptism; Jesus makes the water holy, preparing for the Sacrament of Baptism you received.
- A white dove in a beam of light above: the Holy Spirit comes down upon Jesus (cf. Mt 3:16).
- A beam of light shining down from heaven: it recalls the voice of the Father calling Jesus his beloved Son; the whole Holy Trinity is here.
- Saint John the Baptist in a rough garment of hair, holding a wooden cross: the cross is the way painters usually show Saint John, not a detail told in the Gospel; he is the one who prepares the way, pointing everyone to Jesus, who will save us by the cross.
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Compiled by i-Catholic · About