Matthew 3: 13-17
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
"You come to me?"
On this first Sunday after Epiphany, the Gospel contains doctrinal principles as well as spiritual virtues. They are inspired by faith and the beginning of The Lord Jesus Christ's salvific mission.
Among many other substantial issues, we may concentrate our reflection and prayerful meditation on the following:
+ Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist, where we notice the humility of both of them, John with his astonishment, hesitation and acknowledgement that Jesus does not need baptism for the forgiveness of sins. He emptied Himself and became like us in every way except without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Here we should reflect on John's statement, "I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?" (V. 14). Jesus also shines with humility when He says,"Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness" (V. 15).
+ Then, we witness the unveiling of the greatest mystery in existence, which is the Revelation of the Holy Trinity-
The Son is baptized and coming up from the water (V. 16a).
The Spirit of God descends like a dove and alights on Him (V. 16 b).
The voice of the Father from heaven proclaiming His Only Son as beloved and pleasing (V. 17).
Photo taken by Fr. Kamal in 2020 on his way to the Baptismal Site.
+ Jesus baptized, He will start His ministry on the Mount of Temptations, where He triumphs over the evil spirit.
+ Jesus' baptism reminds us of our own baptism, its gifts and its consequences. We are invited to read about them in Romans 6:3-11, "Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?..." "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ" Galatians 3:27. Baptized, "Marvel not, we are born again from above" John 3:3, and have become "Temples of the Holy Spirit" 1 Corinthians 6:19.
When we come to receive the bread and wine of Holy Communion, let us remember and say with John the Baptist,"You come to me?"