Auspice Maria: The Baptism of the Lord

I would like to share with you this week some thoughts that came from prayer and reflection about the baptism of Jesus. You may have already entertained the question: Why did Jesus have to be baptized if John’s baptism was a preparation for the coming of the Messiah? Jesus is the Messiah, so it’s confusing. If you are not pondering this question, please bear with me for a moment. 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), paragraphs 535-537, provides some helpful information to understand better the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus. In some respects, the Baptism of Jesus is a continuation of Epiphany. The wise men found Jesus in Bethlehem. In that encounter, the meaning is beyond the moment; the wise men represent the nations and all people. Christ is the Messiah and Lord for all people. His salvation is for all. The wise men could be said to symbolize all seekers, all of us looking for something more and all of us seeking authentic love. The wise men find what they are seeking in Christ, and their lives are never the same. 

The Baptism of Jesus continues the revelation of the Epiphany. Jesus is revealed as the “Beloved Son” of the Father at the moment of his baptism. On the day of his baptism, his identity is made publicly known. The ironic point is that Jesus already knew who he was before baptism. This revelation is for us. The Beloved Son of the Father is our Savior and Lord. Out of love, he took on flesh, came among us, lived, suffered, and died so that we might share in the abundant eternal life of love that He, the Father, and the Spirit share. The Father, out of love for us, gives his Son to us to remind us of who we are and for what we are made. We are made for eternal, abundant life. It is crucial to allow this truth to abide in our hearts. The Father loves us and desires that we not be held in bondage to sin and death. 

Recall with me for a moment when we were younger and were coming into adolescence, moving from childhood to puberty. Many practices and items that may have been a part of our early childhood, like our binkies and thumb-sucking, we had to stop and let go. We couldn’t play with our stuffed animals or GI Joes in public any longer because we were told either by peer pressure or by our parents that these things were not becoming of a pre-teen. We thought we had to meet new standards of being “cool,” accepted, or at least under the bullies' radar. The journey to discovering our true selves was hard, and I dare say it is still hard. We still struggle with understanding who we are. 

As Catholics, we look to symbols and signs to help us understand our identity. We look at the cross and misunderstand that a Christian is supposed to live a life of suffering, just like our Lord suffered. That can be so dangerous because I may be inclined to simply say, “Well, this or that suffering is my cross. I shouldn’t do anything to try to rise above it.”  This incomplete understanding of the Cross of Jesus could resign a Catholic to live a miserable life, a life of resigned misery and sadness. It’s a lonely life. Did not Jesus say, “I came that they might have life, and have it more abundantly”? (Jn 10:10)

I have a hypothesis. In science, especially for science fair projects, a hypothesis is needed to either prove or disprove. My hypothesis is that we are reluctant, reticent, and sheepish about being missionary disciples of Jesus Christ because there is a part of each of us that doubts. Peter, in Acts 10, is speaking in the house of Cornelius the Gentile. He is about to baptize him and his entire household. He says, “God shows no partiality.” God’s love is for all. All human beings made in the image and likeness of God are loved by the Father. We are loved so much so that the Father invites us through His beloved Son to be sharers in the Divine Intimacy of the Trinity. We are invited to share in Heaven with the Father and the Son. We are loved. Our Baptism is a real adoption by God to acquire our God-destined inheritance, to be beloved sons and daughters of the Father. I don’t think we believe it! I mean, if I believe that God desires me to be free of sin and death and to share in His abundant life, why am I not sharing this Good News? Through baptism, you’re a son or daughter of God! Why would we not want to invite others to share in this family if we truly believe and experience this?

The Catholic life does have its share of suffering, but it is also about freedom—freedom to be sons and daughters of God because we are God’s beloved. Jesus proves that for us through his life, death, and resurrection. Maybe this week, think about what our lives say to others. Does my life speak to others from the reality that I am a son/daughter of God by my baptism?  If it doesn’t, why? What is causing me not to believe my true identity? Not to embrace my true self? 

I conclude with the words of Isaiah the prophet: “But Zion said, ‘The Lord has forsaken me: my Lord has forgotten me.’ Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you.’  See, upon the palms of my hands I have engraved you." (49:14-16) That sounds painful. That reminds me of the story of the cross. We do not have to suffer to save ourselves. Jesus has already suffered to save us. Why? Because he loves us. Do we believe it?

-Bishop James Ruggieri