Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
January 11, 2026
Matthew 3: 13-17
The Baptism of Jesus is placed at the beginning of the Public Life of Jesus in all the Synoptic Gospels. That fact in itself shows us the importance of this event in the life of Jesus.
We know the story well and rightly claim it as the beginning of the public life of Jesus. What are the Evangelists trying to tell us??
What is Jesus trying to tell us?
Jesus was fully human. Consequently, He desired to be in solidarity with us who are sinners. So he who was sinless, came to be baptized by John. In this act then, Jesus heard the Father say “YOU ARE MY BELOVED SON IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED!”
Moreover, we who are baptized, can also know that God is calling us BELOVED!
For many of us who have made the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, will remember that this is one of the early, even fundamental grace to ask for- is to know ever more deeply that one is BELOVED!
Perhaps, this is what we are invited to contemplate on this Feast!
In my early years, in formation, we actually celebrated the anniversary of our Baptism more than our birthday.
Our own Baptism consecrated our lives with all its potential and goodness.
As one author has said, “God’s love for us naturally evokes our mutual love for God. Jesus heard the voice of love and immediately went to the desert to prepare to give his whole life to God in gratitude. If you and I ever begin to grasp the meaning of “you are my beloved” we too will begin to live our lives out of thankfulness “ to our Good God!
For us, then, as baptized Christians, we are called to follow Jesus, the Beloved who showed us the way not only in his Public life but also through His whole life to His death on the cross. Jesus lived a life of compassion for everyone.
In closing, I share would like to share the prayer of Carrol Stuhlmueller, the brother of two of our Sisters in Notre Dame. ”Lord Jesus, we end our Christmas season, by celebrating our rebirth in Baptism We enjoy what prophets and kings longed to see. Help us during this new year to become more conformed to You in our thoughts, desires, words and actions. Enable us through the Scriptures and the Sacraments to grow to full maturity as your disciples.” Through our works for justice and peace may we help all our brothers and sisters come to know that they too are Beloved by God. AMEN.
Matthew 3: 13-17
Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?”
Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him.
After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Meet Sister Anne Flanagan, SNDdeN
