The Baptism of the Lord is more a feast of the Incarnation than it is about the sacrament of baptism. Jesus identifies with the Jewish people in their struggles and unites with them in preparing the way for the Kingdom of which he is the protagonist. The early Christians were alert to the distinction between the baptism of John and their own which came from Jesus: "He (Apollos) had been instructed in the Way of the Lord; and he spoke with burning enthusiasm and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John." (Acts 18: 25) Christian baptism is not merely one of repentance. In the Second Reading today we hear that out of God's mercy we have been saved: "through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit." (Titus 3: 4) The Holy Spirit, of which we become temples in our own baptism, continues to guide and inform out lives not just in that moment but throughout the whole of our lives. It is through repentance that we open our eyes, ears and heart to what Jesus asks of us and how we can further his mission all the centuries after he was immersed in the Jordan and showed forth his mission as the promised Messiah: "And a voice came from heaven, 'You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.' " (Luke 3: 22)
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