BLOG: The Baptism of The Lord

“God’s grace has been revealed”

This coming Sunday, 13th January, marks The Baptism of The Lord and thus, the end of the Christmas season.

The first reading for this day is taken from the prophet Isaiah, chapter 40:9, where he speaks of the coming of Jesus.

“Go up on a high mountain, joyful messenger of Zion. Shout with a loud voice, joyful messenger of Jerusalem. Shout without fear, say to the towns of Judah, ‘Here is your God’”.

The excitement and anticipation Isaiah writes with here is contagious as we prepare to see the glory of God.

The Baptism of The Lord marks the start of Jesus’ public life and bridges to Old Testament prophets to the era of the New Testament. It can be asked why Jesus was baptised, John was baptising as a call to repent and Jesus is sinless, so why did He insist on the baptism? The second reading for this day comes from the letter of St. Paul to Titus and explains this.

“God’s grace has been revealed, and it has made salvation possible for the whole human race” 

Paul states “He saved us, by means of the cleansing water of rebirth and renewing us with the Holy Spirit which he has so generously poured over us through Jesus Christ our saviour”. Titus 3:4-7.

Through Jesus’ baptism the waters were sanctified by Him entering them and humanity was cleansed in readiness for what is to come.