Baptism of The Lord [A] – January 12, 2020 – Mat 3:13-17

One question that always baffles attentive readers of the Scriptures is that why should Jesus be baptized by John the Baptist? John himself proclaimed that his baptism is a sign of repentance. Those who are baptized by John must first acknowledge their sinfulness and unworthiness, and baptism of water becomes the visible token of turning away from sins and promise of a new and better life. Yet, we all know that Jesus is sinless [Heb 4:15; 1 Pet 2:22]. Does it mean Jesus is sinful? Is John the Baptist greater than Jesus?

The Gospel of Matthew has pointed out clearly that John the Baptist is not worthy to baptize Jesus and he is in need of Jesus’ baptism. It is Jesus Himself who insists to be baptized by John. Why? Jesus told John, “to fulfill all righteousness.” These words of Jesus certainly difficult to understand, and many theologians have come up with different interpretations to understand better Jesus’ actions and words in this baptism.

 St. Augustine of Hippo, one of the greatest Fathers of the Church, told us in his sermon, “The Savior willed to be baptized not that He might Himself be cleansed, but to cleanse the water for us.” St. Augustine pointed to us that Jesus entering the water as to prepare the sacrament of baptism, and so everyone who is baptized in the name of Trinity will receive the grace of forgiveness and new life. Meanwhile Catechism of the Catholic Church notes that Jesus’ submission to John’s baptism is an act of self-emptying [CCC 1224].

However, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has exposed some interesting in his book, Jesus of Nazareth, that Jesus applied the word “baptism” also to His Passion, Death, and Resurrection [see Mrk 10:38; Luk 12:50]. From here, we discover that Jesus’ insistence to be baptized by John because Jesus’ baptism turns to be a symbolic act of His Cross. As Jesus needs to be baptized, so He shall pass through suffering and death as to reach resurrection and bring salvation for all. From the moment of the baptism in the Jordan, Jesus has set His foot to Calvary.

In the Scriptures, righteousness is being faithful to the Convent, and God as the most righteous fulfills His covenant by saving His people (Deut 32:4; Is 5:16; 42:6). Now, Jesus fulfills that same “righteousness” with a perfect and definitive way by His Cross and Resurrection.

So, what all these biblical and theological stuff are for us?  As we know deeper the meaning of the Baptism of the Lord, we shall also follow the footsteps of Jesus. If baptism means His way of the Cross, then all of us who have been baptized, whether as infants or adults, shall share in Jesus’ cross. We are lucky that we are living comfortably as Christians, but more many, to be Christians means discriminations, persecution, and even death. It may be shocking, but Christians remain the most persecuted people on the earth. For us who are more fortunate, we can manifest our baptism with living authentically as disciples of Christ: to be honest despite the possibility of losing earthly gains, to be loving despite many sufferings, and to be honest despite living without fame.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP