The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
I’ve always wondered why Jesus Christ, our sinless Savior, spent an afternoon receiving the sacrament of Baptism. Surely, He didn’t need to be initiated into the Church – He started the Church! It couldn’t be to cleanse Him of original sin – He is literally perfect and the forgiver of our sins. So, why?
Every single thing Christ did while on this earth was meant to be an example for us. His reception of baptism from his cousin John is no different. Christ began his public life the way He wanted us to begin our Christian lives: He wanted us to be cleansed and to humble ourselves before God the Father. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, meekly and publicly submitted himself to His Father through baptism which was “acceptance and inauguration of his mission as God’s suffering Servant” (CCC 536). We too are called to suffer in this life for the sake of Christ. Our Baptism, like Christ’s, is just the beginning of the path upon which we are called to take up our cross and follow Him.
Jesus does not ask us to embark upon this long journey ill prepared. We see that the “Holy Spirit descended upon him” showing us that when we receive the flowing waters of baptism, we too will become a resting place for the Holy Spirit. We will be in reception of a flood of graces and gifts of the Holy Spirit to equip us for our pilgrimage through life. Through this free gift of grace from Christ and His Spirit, we are also united with the community of believers that supports us on our path.
Christ also shows us that the true fruits of baptism come through a continued relationship with the Father through prayer. Luke tells us that the Holy Spirit descended upon him after Jesus “had been baptized and was praying.” The only way for us to be spiritually fit enough to carry our crosses is to constantly embrace the Father in prayer because “the grace of baptism delivers no one from all the weakness of nature” (CCC 978). We are still broken and sinful despite our baptism, and our baptism calls us to be better than we were before. We are also given gifts of hope, fortitude, and grace to help us overcome our weaknesses.
How are you using these gifts to follow Christ’s example in your life?
Tomás Aguilar is a Marine Corps Officer from Pennsylvania living just north of Jacksonville, Florida. When not in uniform you can find him hiking, biking, building, singing or cooking! Check out his Instagram to see his world travels, his love of Catholic Meme dealing, and his attempts to find and imitate the face of Christ in everyday life.