Fr. Renato R. Repole, SJ
Feast of the Baptism of our Lord
January 10, 2016
There were two beginnings in my life that I can never forget. The first was my first day of school as a grade one pupil (Yes, I never had a chance to do kindergarten nor K-12!) I had no idea what school life was. I kept holding on to my mother, thinking she could stay with me the whole time, but no, she had to go and I had to be on my own now. I put my ‘baon” on the floor, not knowing the desk we were seated on had a “secret” space underneath the armrest for our things. I did not know my name, and I ended up copying my seatmate’s name! And I lost my pencil before the end of the day! The second one was my first bus travel from my place to a city alone! I was about 12 yo and had to stay with some elderly relatives in Ozamis. I remember I was just standing in the bus the whole time, wondering whether I would reach my destination or get lost somewhere. Beginnings are very difficult, especially when you had no one to reassure you.
Today, we formally end the Christmas season with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Jesus. Luke tells us that it also marks the transition, as it were, from John the Baptist’s mission to that of the Lord Jesus. John makes a humble retreat having realized his role has ended and points to the more blessed era that is to begin in Jesus who comes after him. In life, we reach the point of having to relinquish our roles and paving the way for others.
In secular language, we use the word “baptism” to refer to “beginnings,” perhaps taking cue from the fact that when as a child we are baptized, we begin our journey as a Christian. And so the idiom “baptism of fire” is invented to refer to a start of a career, of a mission, of a responsibility. And how often we would wish that people are there to reassure us that beginnings are not just difficult but also exciting, that they hold promises as much as uncertainties.
Our Lord plunged into the world of humanity when he became a human being and now into the more complicated and challenging world as He embarks on His public ministry. How he fully embraced humanity, even submitting Himself to be baptized in the manner of sinners, of those who need repentance and conversion. That was why His ministry was credible because His words were matched by His deeds.
And that is why we hear the voice of the Father affirming and confirming His love and approval of what His Son has done: plunging into the world out there, embracing it entirely, and giving all of Himself for His task. “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.” How tender and reassuring are the words of the Father! And, looking fast forward into Jesus’ future on the cross, how He wished perhaps He would hear similar words while hanging in agony. But perhaps those words at baptism (and at the Transfiguration) were enough.
At His Baptism, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus. This same Spirit would be His power and the stamp of love that would characterize His entire ministry. The same Spirit has been poured into our hearts, as St. Paul also declares. With this Spirit, we can carry out our mission with courage and love; it will lift us up when we are down and discouraged; it will counsel and guide us when we are lost; it will enflame and inspire us when we begin to get cold.
Beginnings are difficult but they are also exciting. Let us not fear plunging into the world out there, knowing that the Father, Jesus, and the Spirit are with us.