by Chase Hawkins
Every year at the Easter Vigil, we welcome adults and children into the community of the Church through the sacrament of Baptism. At my home parish, we immerse the RCIA candidates in the baptismal font in front of the congregation. This immersion in holy water is the central aspect of the sacrament of Baptism. The word itself – Baptism – comes from the Greek baptizein meaning “to plunge” or “immerse” (CCC 1214).
But what is the point of plunging or immersing ourselves in anything? According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life” (CCC 1213). This is why the Church recognizes and accepts Baptism of converts from other Christian denominations. The sacrament is the vitae spiritualis ianua – in English, “the gateway to life in the Spirit”. As the first sacrament we receive – and the first of the sacraments of initiation – Baptism truly is the gateway to life.
In Baptism, we are humbled when we immerse ourselves in holy water. We are reminded of who we are: children of God. And, with the humility of a child, we also receive the light of Christ in our baptismal candle. This humility that we find in the sacrament of Baptism originates with the Baptism of Our Lord, which we celebrate today.
In today’s Gospel reading, a few short verses from the Gospel of Luke, both John the Baptist and Jesus become models of humility. John the Baptist humbles himself by saying to those who think he might be the Messiah: “‘I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire’” (Luke 3:16).
Okay, so John the Baptist is humble, but how does Jesus show humility in this passage? In fact, a voice even comes from Heaven saying, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22). How is that humble? Well, Jesus displays humility by being baptized in the first place! Jesus is the Messiah! Why would he need to be baptized alongside all of these other people who aren’t the Messiah!? The answer is simple: Jesus humbles Himself to be baptized. It is out of humility that Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist who isn’t “worthy to loosen the thongs of [Jesus’] sandals”.
This is the humility that Jesus both practices and preaches. Several times in the Gospels, Jesus reminds us to be humble because the first shall be last. And it is during His Baptism (as well as several other instances in the Gospels) that Jesus displays humility in order for us to know His humanity.
On this Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord, let us be reminded of the humility that Jesus displays for us and at the same time, let us live out the same humility in our lives.
“The gate of Heaven is very low; only the humble can enter it.”
-St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Saint Margaret Clitherow, ora pro nobis.
Saint Francis of Assisi, ora pro nobis.
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, ora pro nobis.
-Chawkins.
But what is the point of plunging or immersing ourselves in anything? According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life” (CCC 1213). This is why the Church recognizes and accepts Baptism of converts from other Christian denominations. The sacrament is the vitae spiritualis ianua – in English, “the gateway to life in the Spirit”. As the first sacrament we receive – and the first of the sacraments of initiation – Baptism truly is the gateway to life.
In Baptism, we are humbled when we immerse ourselves in holy water. We are reminded of who we are: children of God. And, with the humility of a child, we also receive the light of Christ in our baptismal candle. This humility that we find in the sacrament of Baptism originates with the Baptism of Our Lord, which we celebrate today.
In today’s Gospel reading, a few short verses from the Gospel of Luke, both John the Baptist and Jesus become models of humility. John the Baptist humbles himself by saying to those who think he might be the Messiah: “‘I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire’” (Luke 3:16).
Okay, so John the Baptist is humble, but how does Jesus show humility in this passage? In fact, a voice even comes from Heaven saying, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22). How is that humble? Well, Jesus displays humility by being baptized in the first place! Jesus is the Messiah! Why would he need to be baptized alongside all of these other people who aren’t the Messiah!? The answer is simple: Jesus humbles Himself to be baptized. It is out of humility that Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist who isn’t “worthy to loosen the thongs of [Jesus’] sandals”.
This is the humility that Jesus both practices and preaches. Several times in the Gospels, Jesus reminds us to be humble because the first shall be last. And it is during His Baptism (as well as several other instances in the Gospels) that Jesus displays humility in order for us to know His humanity.
On this Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord, let us be reminded of the humility that Jesus displays for us and at the same time, let us live out the same humility in our lives.
“The gate of Heaven is very low; only the humble can enter it.”
-St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Saint Margaret Clitherow, ora pro nobis.
Saint Francis of Assisi, ora pro nobis.
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, ora pro nobis.
-Chawkins.