Today we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord. What difference does baptism make to us? When Jesus was baptized, the Father spoke and said, “You are my Son, the beloved; my favor rests on you.” When we are baptized, the Father says over each of us: “You are my son/daughter, my beloved; my favor rests on you.” Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit when he was baptized in the Jordan, and we are anointed with the oil of chrism during our baptism and like Jesus we receive the Holy Spirit also. If we list and follow closely the ritual of Baptism, we are reminded that we now deeply share in the grace of Jesus.
Vatican Council II puts it in a different way. It says we all share in the priesthood of Christ. During the anointing with chrism, we hear: “As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet and King, so may you live always as a member of his body, sharing everlasting life.
So we are to be of service to one another. So, what is your vocation since baptism? Your vocation is to witness Jesus to the world. Because we fail at times, we ask for mercy at the beginning of every Mass. But we must not give up. We have to continue to share our faith in Jesus which we can do through kindness, forgiveness, mercy, and generosity. These are just a few ways. What other ways have you witnessed to your faith and baptism?