SCC REFLECTION: BAPTISM OF THE LORD Year C. Lk 3. Fr Donal McIlraith
[15] As the people were in expectation, and all men questioned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he were the Christ,
[16] John answered them all, "I baptize you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
[21] Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened
[22] and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form, as a dove, and a voice came from heaven, "Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased."
Reflections:
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At this time in the liturgy, the Church celebrates the first three times that the divinity of Jesus was shown to the world. First was the coming of the Magi who worshipped Jesus. Then at the baptism of Jesus, his Father announces his divinity, “You are my beloved Son.” Finally in his first miracle at Cano Jesus shows his divinity by performing the miracle of changing water to wine. We will celebrate this next week. Today we focus on the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River.
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People were so impressed by John that they thought he might be the Messiah but John explains that he is far inferior to the Messiah. He is the one who prepares the way. His baptism is with the water of the Jordan. When the Messiah comes he will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. We see that these words of John point to Pentecost. This is where the Spirit comes down on the Church with fire. And this is the reality of every baptism ...
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