Three of the four Gospels recall the Baptism of the Lord, each one in its own way. The version we heard today, from Matthew, is unique in recalling that when Jesus came to the Jordan, John the Baptist at first tried to prevent him, saying that he was the one who needed to be baptized by Jesus. But Jesus replies, Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.

Here, Matthew is keen to emphasize that Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises made to Israel – as found in the first reading – and the one whose sandals John is unfit to carry (Cf., Matthew 3:11). John acquiesced to Jesus’ request, and upon coming up from the water, Jesus is revealed as my beloved Son through a voice from heaven, while the Spirit descends upon him in the form of a dove.

As we hear this Gospel proclaimed, we note this revelation/divine action occurs after Jesus comes up from the waters of the Jordan. We, too, have emerged from the waters of baptism, and been anointed with the same Spirit. The words of the Father are words meant for us, too, for we also are God’s beloved.

If anything, this feast has as much to say about us as it does about Jesus and his identity. Yes, by going down into the waters of the Jordan, Jesus demonstrates his solidarity with our broken world, but we know that he was without sin and so his baptism is different from ours. Unlike Christ who embodied perfection, we have to choose whether or not to live up to that baptismal identity, and to continue his divine work in our world today.

We who gather here have made this choice, it seems. We may not do it perfectly, but by our profession of faith and openness to the grace available at this Mass we are, at the very least, committed to trying our best. May God bless us in our efforts, and may the Eucharist continue to transform us for the sake of the world.

(Fr. Michał Pająk, OMI, Jan. 11, 2026)