Baptism of the Lord B 2015 (Mk 1: 7-11)

            Jesus has a momentous encounter with God at his baptism.  It is momentous because this baptism reveals who Jesus is.  This baptism shows that Jesus is determined to carry out the will of his heavenly Father.  Notice that Jesus goes to John for baptism.  John does not come to Jesus.  This is significant, because John connects baptism with repentance, and yet Jesus does not need repentance.  Why then does Jesus go to John for baptism?  What does this baptism mean to Jesus?  What does this baptism mean for us?  

            John provides part of the answer.  John told his followers that he baptized with water so that Jesus, who would baptize with the Holy Spirit, might be made known to Israel (Jn 1:31).  In seeking baptism from John, therefore, Jesus intends to be made known beyond the shepherds and beyond the magi (Acts 19:4). 

            The identity of Jesus is made known in a dramatic way, for, the Holy Trinity is at the center of this revelation.  When Jesus comes up out of the Jordan, a voice from the heavens—the voice of the Father—declares that Jesus is his beloved Son with whom he is well pleased.  The text suggests that not everyone hears this declaration; only those who were willing to hear it. 

            At the same time, the Holy Spirit descends and comes to rest upon Jesus.  The Holy Spirit descends to anoint Jesus in preparation for his public ministry.  The Holy Spirit empowers Jesus.  The baptism of Jesus is the first public revelation of Jesus as the Son of God.  It is truly a momentous encounter with God because it is a transformation for Jesus.  At this point, Jesus leaves behind the old and puts on a new life.  He leaves behind his private life and begins a new life of public ministry, teaching others about the kingdom of God and the will of the Father.

            Jesus understands his own baptism as carrying out the will of the Father.  Jesus teaches Nicodemus that no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit (Jn 3:5).  For this reason, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees and scribes for refusing to be baptized by John.  Jesus characterizes their refusal as setting aside the will of God (Lk 7:30).  In this sense, the baptism of Jesus is a model and motivation for our own baptism.

            Through his baptism and through his teaching, Jesus shows that the whole point of baptism is to set aside the old and put on a new life.  Baptism is thus a momentous encounter with God for us as well.  Most of us would not describe our baptism in this way, because most of us were not even aware of the event.  And yet, that is exactly what baptism is—a momentous encounter with God, even for infants.  Through baptism, we encounter the Father and become united with Jesus Christ the Son, and receive the Holy Spirit. 

            From this point on, we have a new life in Christ (Rom 6:4).  The white garment that we receive at baptism symbolizes this new life.  St. Paul calls attention to this new life when he says that, “all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Gal 3:27).  This reference to a new life in Christ led to the practice in the early Church of taking off old clothes and putting on new white garments for baptism.  The symbolism is clear.  Through baptism, we leave behind the old and put on a new life.  We become the Beloved of God, commissioned to proclaim the Good News with our lives.

            We have the example of Christ to guide us.  After his baptism and anointing, Jesus entrusted himself and his mission entirely to the Holy Spirit.  As a result, the Spirit led Jesus into the desert for a period of discernment and reflection.  This desert experience gives Jesus time to make sense of his encounter with God at his baptism, and to decide how to carry out the will of the Father; how to proclaim the Good News with his life. 

            Scripture clearly shows that this was no easy process for Jesus. Nor is it always easy for us.  God nurtures and develops the new life that we receive in baptism long after the original event—if we but listen to his voice.  Do we want to hear God's voice?  God responds to willing hearts, to those who are willing to hear his message.  We read in Revelation that God stands at the door and knocks.  He promises that if we hear his voice and open the door, he will come in and eat with us, and we will be with Him (Rev 3:20).  If we want to encounter God, first we have to hear his knock; we have to hear his voice.  Only then will we know to open the door. 

            Our challenge today is to remain attentive to the voice of the one true God, for there are many gods fighting for our attention.  Like Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us. The Holy Spirit did not come on Pentecost as someone the Apostles could see and touch.  Rather, the Holy Spirit came to abide in their hearts. 

            That same Spirit comes to us today through Scripture, through the Church, through prayer, through the sacraments, through our experiences, and through each other.  The question is whether we are willing to listen to the voice of God spoken in our hearts.  The Psalmist encourages us to be still and simply know God (Ps 46:10).  This stillness is the beginning of reflection and discernment.  This is the beginning of our desert experience.  And it begins with baptism.