This feast follow quickly after that of the Epiphany due to the lateness of Christmas in 2017. Thus, it falls on a Monday which is a shame since the faithful would be helped in their understanding of their own baptism by this feast. This is done so by contrasting what Jesus did with what happens with Christian baptism. Our baptism is not that of John the Baptist and thus it is not the same as that which Jesus received. Jesus was not baptized for the forgiveness of his sins - we are freed from Original Sin and, if we are of the age of reason, from our own personal sins. Jesus was anointed with the oil of gladness - we are anointed with chrism as we participate in the mission of Christ - priest, prophet and king. Jesus is the beloved son by nature - we are adopted by the Holy Spirit into his sonship so that we too my cry out, "Abba, father." Jesus was baptized since it was was fitting - we are baptized for salvation. Jesus was baptized to identify with Israel - we are baptized into the life of the New Israel which is the Church. Jesus was baptized into a community awaiting the Messiah - we are baptized into a community who makes the Messiah present and continues his mission on earth. What we can say is that baptism both for Jesus and us is not a static reality but a social, spiritual and messianic event which conforms us to the will of the Father and sends us into a world in desperate need of his love. To accomplish this sacred task given us we need acknowledge Jesus as the Lord: "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." (Mark 1: 11)
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