Solemnity of the Lord's Baptism

We hear in today’s gospel the account of Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. As we all know, the event of Jesus’ baptism marks the end of His hidden life at Nazareth and the beginning of His public life of ministry. In one sense, the baptism of Jesus was to Him, a milestone of His life.

But allow me to focus on the last line of today’s Gospel passage from St. Mark: THIS IS MY BELOVED SON IN WHOM MY FAVOR RESTS. This line expresses to us the kind of manifestation of Jesus’ person by no less than the Father Himself. The line expresses the kind of relationship that Jesus has with His Heavenly Father – a relationship built upon in love and confidence.

This line expresses very well our very own identity – that indeed, we are the sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. We are made as such in the person of Jesus. What Jesus is by nature – He being the Son of God, we all are by grace – sons and daughters of God, by virtue of our own baptism.

Perhaps it might be good to ask ourselves what could be my “baptism” experience. What is it that the Lord is asking from me, a leap of faith to the unknown probably, or a challenge to go beyond myself and my comfort zones.

Let us beg the Lord then to grant us the grace to be truly aware and grateful for the relationship we all have in Jesus. May we hear daily the words of the Father to us: This is my beloved son or daughter in whom my favor rests, through the praise of our lips and the holiness of our lives.

Let us pray that our relationship with the Lord Jesus might change our very lives and the lives of those we constantly touch. And through this change, may the Kingdom of God be truly established in our midst this very day in and through us.


This is a short reflection that I prepared for our Sub-community Mass here at Loyola House of Studies.