We don’t know the exact date on which our Lord was baptized, but the Church recognizes this Divine Moment as the beginning of our Lord’s public ministry. Just as John the Baptist bridges the Old and New Testament of the Bible, the Baptism is the bridge from the private life to public ministry of Jesus.
In this respect, the Bible passages recounting this baptism mark an end to what many Scripture scholars refer to as the “infancy narratives.” Little is known about the life of Jesus between that first Christmas and His baptism. He was born. Joseph and Mary fulfilled their duties as parents. He grew in wisdom and stature. Then He explodes on the scene with the incredible contrast of His great humility amidst the rending heavens, the descending Spirit & the very Voice of God!
The baby talk is over. The Child who was, according to Simeon the prophet, destined for the fall and rise of many, is now the man who will fulfill God’s will. The Divine Charge is given. We can no longer allow ourselves to be lulled by the sentimentality of a manger scene. That same Voice which declared Jesus to be His beloved Son now calls to us. The clouds are not parting gently to allow sunlight to filter through. They are being torn open by the power of God coming into our lives that we might continue in the power of Jesus Christ to defeat the evil spirits and bring to an end their evil effects (the fall of many) as we continue to build the Kingdom of God (the rise of many).
I’m a sentimental type. There is time for basking in the warm glow of our loving Savior who first came to us as a beautiful infant. In fact, there is time every day for that! However, faith does not stop with basking, or it is not faith but an escape or a favorite fairy tale. The baby talk is over. We must be adult men and women of faith.
Prayerfully, Father Mike