Reflection for the Baptism of Our Lord – January 10, 2021

By Juanita Harding, Notre Dame Associate

The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River

A reading from the Gospel on Mark 1:7-11

John the Baptist proclaimed:  “one mightier than I is coming after me. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Why was Jesus being baptized?  He is the divine Son of God, and the Baptism that John the Baptist administered was a Baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  Jesus had no sin.

At the Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, on coming up out of the water Jesus saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove descended upon Him.

Christian baptism not only forgives sins, but it infuses the life of God into our souls, making us God’s children.  And the origin of the sacrament is Jesus’ own baptism.

I feel so privileged to be at Mass when they have a Baptism.  There is so much joy and symbolism in bringing this person into the Church.