The Baptism of the Lord January 11, 2026

Readings: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 Acts 10:34-38 Matthew 3:13-17

How often in our lives we hope that God will come and save us—and then we find out that He does save us, but through another human being and not directly as we often would prefer? This is part of Jesus taking on our humanity. How often He asks us to help others in His name and to do good to others in His name—and we forget that is part of salvation. The mystery of the Baptism of the Lord is about His becoming totally immersed in our humanity.

This imagery of immersion fits perfection with the image of baptism. Just as the early imagery of this feast speaks about all of the water of the earth becoming holy because Jesus is baptized in the water, so we can understand that all of creation becomes holy because Jesus takes on our humanity.

You and I are that holiness of the Lord Jesus, given flesh so that we can radiate that holiness to one another and to all whom we meet. This helps us understand the first reading, from the Prophet Isaia, who tells us that the Lord formed us, and set us as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

This Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is not about standing on one side and watching the Lord do great things. No, it is about living fully and allowing the Lord to do great things in us. Holy is His name. It is true that the Lord works marvels in us. It is true that some saints seem greater than others. It is true that you and I are called to be saints, even when we feel the less saintly. The only goal for all of us is to do the Will of the Father. That is what Jesus set out to do and it is what He invites us to do. We need not worry how well we do it, we need only keep trying to do it.

In seeking to do His will is our peace. In seeking to do His will is all of our fulfillment. May the Lord Jesus draw us deep into His baptism today and help us embrace all the suffering that comes with embracing the Father’s Will and all the joy and delight of seeking the Lord.

Fr. Terry