THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
“Normally, the Sunday following the Feast of the Epiphany is dedicated to celebrating the Baptism of Christ and marks the culmination of the entire cycle of the Nativity or the manifestation of the Lord. It is also the Sunday that ushers in Ordinary Time (when there are no special feasts or solemnities).
Now, if we recall the moment when Christ was in line waiting his turn to be baptized, when his turn came, John the Baptist exclaimed: “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
Now, we must understand the difference between the baptism of John and the baptism of Jesus.
John’s baptism: with water as a sign of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Jesus’ baptism: with the Holy Spirit as an inner renewal that makes us partakers of the divine nature, that is, that imbues us with his holiness.
Jesus is baptized not because he needs it, but because he submits to a baptism of repentance, becoming like us. He begins by teaching us his humility. A special relationship between God and humankind begins.