Baptism of Our Lord

There is an old Hindu parable about a tiger cub raised by goats. The cub learned to bleat and nibble grass and behave like a goat. One night a tiger attacked the goats, which scattered for safety. But the tiger cub kept grazing and crying like a goat without

getting frightened. The older tiger roared, “What are you doing here, living with these cowardly goats?” He grabbed the cub by the scruff, dragged him to a pond and said: “Look how our faces reflected in water? Now you know who you are and whose you are.” The tiger took the cub home, taught him how to catch animals, eat their meat, roar and act like a tiger. The tiger cub thus

discovered his true self.

Today’s gospel seems to suggest that Jesus received from heaven a fresh flash of realization of who, and Whose, he really was and what he was supposed to do on the day of his baptism in the river Jordan. It also marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. Why did Jesus, the sinless son of God, receive the baptism of repentance meant for sinners? Why did Jesus wait for thirty years to begin his public ministry? He received baptism to identify himself with the rest of humanity.

The baptism from John was a very important event in the life of Jesus. First, it was a moment of decision. It marked the end of Jesus’ private life, which prepared him for his public ministry.  Second, it was a moment of identification with us sinners. Third, it was a moment of approval when his heavenly Father approved Jesus as His “beloved Son.” Fourth, it was a moment of conviction that he is going to atone for our sin by becoming a suffering servant.

The baptism of Jesus reminds us of our identity and mission. First, it reminds us of who we are and whose we are. By baptism we become sons and daughters of God, brothers and sisters of Jesus and members of his church. Hence, baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door which gives access to other Sacraments. Jesus’ baptism reminds us of our mission. To experience the presence of God within us, to acknowledge our own dignity as God’s children and to appreciate the divine presence in others by honoring them, loving them and serving them.

The baptism of each one of us should enable us to lead a holy and transparent Christian life and not to desecrate our bodies, the temples of the Holy Spirit, by impurity, injustice, intolerance and hatred. This is also a day for us to renew our Baptismal promises that we may always live our call as sons and daughters of God.

Fr. Tomy Thomas