The Baptism of the Lord

Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”

Jesus’ baptism unites him with us. It is through it that Christ identifies himself with sinners and takes the next step in the story of salvation. And like him, when we are baptized, we are prepared for our ministry through the Holy Spirit and proclaimed the children of God. Of course, we might not feel worthy of what we are being asked to do in this life, but God often asks us to move out of our comfort zone in order to serve Him. He asks us to set aside our feelings of inadequacy and do His Will because it is part of His Plan for the salvation of souls. This leap of faith can be great or small, but no matter what it is, we will need to jump or miss out on a chance to show God that we love Him more than life itself.

How do we unite ourselves to Jesus? How can we overcome our sense of unworthiness and do God’s Will in spite of our anxieties? In what ways do our lives fulfill all righteousness and further God’s Plan for the salvation of souls?

O Lord, may our lives be spent fulfilling our baptismal promises and lead to the salvation of souls.

Amen.