The Baptism of Our Lord
"Mk 1:7-11" John said, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit descending upon him like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, "Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased."
"The Lord was Baptised", explains St. Ambrose of Milan, "not to be cleansed Himself, but to cleanse the waters, so that those waters might have the power of Baptism". During His Ascension, He told His disciples to go and baptise all people and they did exactly that.
Saints have greatly valued this Sacrament. St Vincent Ferrer always celebrated the anniversary of his baptism and often went to kiss the baptismal font in the church of St Stephen in Valencia. After many years of absence, St Francis Solano went back to his hometown. Before doing anything else he knelt and rested his forehead on the font of the church where he was baptised and sang the Creed. When St Josemaria found out that they were discarding the font where he was baptised, he arranged for it to be brought to his chapel and kissed it every time he passed by it. Do you know the date of your baptism?
A young woman came to see the parish priest to discuss what was needed for her conversion to the Catholic Church. She explained that she had been reading the Gospel, fell in love with Jesus, and wanted to be a Catholic. The priest was surprised that no one had instructed her or talked to her about our faith. "No one has taught you anything about the faith?" asked the astonished priest. "That's strange! You must have had a bit of guidance from someone." The girl explained: "No one, father. Nobody, since I was baptised as a baby..." "But you were baptised?!..." the priest interrupted her, and with a smile he added: "I rest my case!" Of course Someone had been helping her. Baptism made her a temple of the Holy Spirit. He had been helping her for many years...from inside! Mary, my Mother, may I never forget to give thanks to God for my Baptism and to truly value it as the saints did.
