The Third Sunday after Christmas: The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
Gospel: Matthew 3:13-17
The Word of God Who Received Baptism

Today, as Jesus came from the Jordan River to receive the baptism of St. John the Baptist, St. John attempted to prevent Him. For John recognized Jesus Christ as the Lord and Creator of the universe and all creation. Thus, upon seeing Jesus approach him to be baptized at his hands, he immediately told Jesus that it was he who needed to be baptized by Christ, not the other way around.

The merciful Lord Christ, though He existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. Instead, He emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant and being made in human likeness (Philippians 2:6-7). Jesus appeared among humanity in a form similar to ours, and with His sacred Body, He sanctified the waters—which are themselves creatures—bringing eternal salvation to the world. The very waters we use in receiving Christ’s Holy Baptism were thus consecrated by Him at the Jordan River. When we receive the sacrament of Holy Baptism, we are washed clean of original sin in the water associated with His passion; we die with Christ, are buried with Him, and are united with Him. In this way, we may begin a new life in the risen Lord at His glorious Resurrection.

Today, the Holy Spirit, who appears before the eyes of the world, does not choose to manifest in the powerful image of fiery tongues as on Pentecost Sunday. Instead, He chooses the form of a dove. This is to tell us that the Holy Trinity is not the harsh God described by the Pharisees, nor is it the God loved by the Sadducees, who preferred material offerings to a humble and contrite heart. Rather, He is a God who loves humanity more than Himself, a God who actively seeks communion with humanity, a God who embraces both those who observe His Law and all those who have sinned against Him.

On this Third Sunday after Christmas, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, let us deeply remember the profession of faith we made when receiving the sacraments of Christian initiation. Let us remain faithful to the Word of God and worthily accomplish the mission entrusted to us by God. Amen.

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