BAPTISED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD - Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

Many people became convinced that John the Baptist was the Messiah, but, being an honest and truthful man, he did not waste time in denying such a claim. Indeed, he never tried to present himself as someone he was not. He was a simple voice in the desert calling people to repentance and conversion. He came to prepare the way of the Lord. Thus, he points out the big difference between him and the Messiah. He was “not fit to undo the strap of his sandals” since the Messiah was much greater than he was. Aware of the Messiah’s greatness, John compares his baptism with the one to be bestowed by the Messiah. John baptises with water, while the Messiah will baptise with the Holy Spirit.

There is a huge difference between John’s baptism and the baptism given to us by Jesus Christ. Those who went to John were baptised by him while confessing their sins. They accepted the call for repentance and showed a willingness to convert. The baptism was a sign of their commitment to walk on the straight path of the Lord. In the baptism given to us by Jesus, we were anointed with the Holy Spirit, who recreates us and makes us children of God. By the Holy Spirit, we are made one with Christ, becoming with him children of God.

In Jesus’ baptism, his sonship was revealed when the voice from heaven proclaimed: “You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you.” Anointed with Spirit, Jesus was ready to be the Servant of the Lord and carry out his mission for the salvation of the world. Jesus came to baptise us with the Holy Spirit so that the Father’s words are pronounced on each one of us: You are my son. We are God’s beloved children, and we may cry out: “Abba! Father!” (Ro 8:15).

In our baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, the water is a symbol and an instrument of the Holy Spirit, who is the one regenerating us. In Him, we are born from above (again), that is, from God.  As John wrote in his gospel: 

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” (Jn 1:12-13).

As we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, let us give thanks for our baptism and renew our commitment to be true followers of Jesus Christ.