Today we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord. This baptism of Jesus reminds us of our own identity and mission in life. First, it reminds us of who we are and Whose we are. By Baptism we become the adoptive sons and daughters of God, brothers and sisters of Jesus, members of His Church, heirs of Heaven, and temples of the Holy Spirit. We become incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ, and made sharers in the priesthood of Christ. And so, Our baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life. It is the gateway to life in the Holy Spirit and it is the door which gives access to the other Sacraments.
When most of us come into Church, we dip the fingers of our right hand into the holy water font and bless ourselves. Why do we do this? Maybe, because this blessing is supposed to remind us of our Baptism. So, when we bless ourselves with Holy Water, we should be thinking of the fact that we are children of God; that we have been redeemed by the Cross of Christ; that we have been made members of God’s family; and that we have been washed, forgiven, cleansed and purified by the Blood of the Lamb.
Today’s celebration of Jesus’ baptism is truly a celebration of our own baptisms as well.