The Baptism of the Lord is another major Epiphany of the Incarnation of God among us in Christ Jesus. In this feast, there is a manifestation or showing of Christ. In St. Paul’s Letter to Titus we read: “The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways…” and again: “When the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared….” Seeing is the main theme of the readings. The invisible God is seen in Jesus. Notice that on Christmas, Christ is manifested to the shepherds by the angels. On the Epiphany, Jesus is manifested to the magi by Mary. In today’s liturgy, Christ is manifested to us by the Father and the Holy Spirit.
The Feast and the End of Christmas
The feast closes the Christmas Season. The Baptism of the Lord is the manifestation of Christ Jesus, the Incarnate Word, to the world by the Father and the Holy Spirit. The Baptism of the Lord begins the public ministry of Jesus.
In this baptismal event, Jesus aligns himself with sinful humanity, which struggles to be sinless while faced with human weakness. In the mystery of the Incarnation, God touches our weakness, our spiritual wound, and heals it.
John’s Baptism and Christian Baptism
The baptism which John the Baptist administered is not the same baptism we as Christians receive. The baptism of John the Baptist was a baptism of repentance; it was a sign that the one being baptized would try to change one’s life. The baptism John administered has its roots in the Jewish mikvah bath. The mikvah is a cleansing and signifies a new beginning.
Our baptism is an immersion into Christ Jesus. We are immersed into the redemption which Christ has brought about through his passion, death, and resurrection.
Jesus’ Solidarity with Sinners
Jesus preached a baptism of repentance in the hope of the coming of the Kingdom of God. Jesus, who is sinless, does not need the baptism of John. Jesus is not a repentant sinner.
Yet Jesus accepts John’s baptism as a sign that he stands with all struggling sinners who desire redemption, long for healing, and want the reign of God. The Baptism of Jesus begins his public ministry. The redemptive ministry of Jesus will lead to the Cross. It will be Christ’s faithfulness to his ministry that will ultimately redeem our unfaithfulness.
From Baptism to Easter
Truly, the mystery of the Incarnation is astounding when one realizes that God became human to take on our weaknesses and to make atonement for us. The event of the Baptism of the Lord resembles Easter. The baptism begins the redemptive work of Jesus which will culminate in the events of Easter.
The Baptism of the Lord begins the victory of Christ over all forms of evil and death.
Our Call to Manifest Christ
Each of us, because of our baptism, Confirmation, and especially the Eucharist, is called to be a manifestation of Christ to those around us. Yes, Christ acts through us for others. In the same way, the divine Holy Spirit, who comes to us in every sacrament, enables us to recognize the manifestation of Christ in those around us, especially in the poor, the vulnerable, the innocent, the wise, those in need, and even the gifted.
God’s presence surrounds us. The universe is singing God’s presence. We need to be alert to this divine Presence. This feast is one of hope and comfort for all of us. It reminds us that Jesus walks with all people of good will who are striving to be faithful and yet fail from time to time. The Epiphany events of the arrival of the magi, the Baptism of the Lord, and the Wedding Feast at Cana remind us that nothing will separate us from the love of God which comes to us in Christ Jesus.
Msgr. Guy A. Massie
January 11, 2026