Baptism of the Lord (Year A)

Readings: Isaiah 42.1-4,6-7; Psalm 28/29; Acts of the Apostles 10.34-38; Matthew 3.13-17

We may find ourselves agreeing with John the Baptist - the baptism should have been the other way round, Jesus baptising John rather than John baptising Jesus. But Jesus does not agree with John when he says this, and so he does not agree with us either.

So what is the 'righteousness' that is being fulfilled as he submits to baptism at the hands of John? It is not only that things ought to be done in the way foretold in the prophecies but that this way of doing things reveals something essential about Jesus and his mission which would otherwise be missed.

He stands in solidarity with human beings by submitting to John's baptism. He does not personally need it since he is without sin, unfailingly conscious of the Father's presence and unfailingly obedient to the Father's will. But the truth of his dwelling among us is underlined in this event. The flesh which the Word became is our flesh, subject not only to the limitations and weaknesses of our animal nature, but all too easily distracted and seduced by all that leads to sin - fear, anxiety, humiliation, desire, pride, indifference.

Jesus, though free from sin, stood in solidarity with us, his sinful brothers and sisters. If he had baptised John it would not be clear that he is, really and truly, one of us, our flesh and blood, come to share our situation and to free us from sin.

Later, Jesus will be baptised in another way, in the mysteries of his suffering, death and resurrection. 'Can you be baptised with the baptism I will undergo?', he asks his apostles, halfway through his public ministry. He is referring to those mysteries of his suffering, death and resurrection which establish that baptism in the Holy Spirit and in fire which John predicted. John the Baptist himself was later baptised into those mysteries through his anticipation of the suffering and death of Jesus. In his martyrdom John was still serving righteousness, witnessing to justice, as Jesus said they ought to do. And in this way too we can say that John is baptised by Jesus.

The presence of the Father and the Spirit at the moment of Jesus' baptism by John also confirms that things are unfolding as God intended. The heavens open in answer to the most urgent and persistent prayer of Israel, and the chosen one, the servant of the Lord, the promised messiah, is anointed with the Holy Spirit and commissioned by the Father. He is the Beloved Son on whom God's favour rests. By the will of the Father and the work of the Holy Spirit, his death will bring life to the world.

His baptism at the hands of John announces all of this. It is the beginning of his public ministry. The salvation of the world is now underway and the kingdom is at hand. By submitting to baptism at the hands of John, Jesus also confirms what he says to the Samaritan woman: 'salvation is from the Jews'. His work emerges organically, within the whole history of God's presence and dealing with his people, a history of which John the Baptist is the most recent and the greatest representative.

And so it is right that Jesus was baptised by John and that later he would establish in his own body the baptism in the Holy Spirit and in fire which brings salvation for the whole world.

You can listen to this homily here.