(For the audio version of this blog, please visit: https://brothersinchristcmf.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Mass-Blog-for-the-Baptism-of-the-Lord-2026.mp3)
This Sunday we get three perspectives on the baptism that made ours possible. Isaiah foresees it (Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7), Peter recalls it (Acts 10:34-38), and Matthew’s gospel makes us witnesses to it (Matthew 3:13-17). But we shouldn’t gloss over Peter’s recollection, because we relive his own baptism of fire each time we witness the baptism of an infant or catechumen.
In this Sunday’s account from Acts, we learn the lesson Peter had just absorbed from the Holy Spirit—that ALL souls of good will are worthy to be counted among God’s chosen people, not just THE “Chosen People” of the Old Testament. God’s Holy Spirit puts Peter in touch with Cornelius, a righteous centurion (and gentile) whom Peter would never have considered worthy of baptism—just as he could never have consumed anything that wasn’t kosher. But the Holy Spirit teaches Peter, “What God has made clean, you are not to call profane.”
Peter hears this three times. He seems to learn his lessons better in threes, just as when, after he saw his newly-risen Master, Jesus asked three times if Peter loves him (John 21:15). After his third reassurance, Peter’s feelings are hurt. How could Jesus think otherwise? But three is also the number of times Peter denied knowing Jesus before his Master’s crucifixion (Matthew 26:69). Three also happens to represent the Trinity overseeing the Church Jesus built on Peter’s shoulders. All righteous souls are welcomed to its shelter—in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
So this Sunday, Peter shares with us the lesson pounded three times into his heart of stone:
“In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.”
And worthy of baptism. Today that lesson is learned every time an adult catechumen or the Godparents of an infant about to be baptized make their vows. These vows echo that exchange between Jesus and Peter, in which, after Peter assures Jesus three times that he loves him, Jesus answers “feed my sheep” (and lambs).
Baptism isn’t just a reason to dress up in your most beautiful clothes. It represents our redemption, God’s forgiveness and our commissioning into a life of service. “Feed my sheep” isn’t a call to work with livestock. It’s a call to righteousness.
Are we worthy of such a high calling? Sunday’s gospel reading shows that John the Baptist felt unworthy to answer Jesus’ request for baptism. Jesus answers, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”
Righteousness isn’t born of water, but of spirit. With their Holy Spirit of service rising from our baptism, God the Father and Son are well pleased.
–Tom Andel
Baptism draws us into the life of the Trinity, making ordinary life the place where righteousness is lived. We are not merely cleansed but adopted: the Father claims us as sons and daughters, the Son shares his mission, and the Spirit empowers us to live it. Righteousness then ceases to be abstract and becomes a lived response to divine love.
Our baptismal incorporation into the life of the Trinity has real consequences. As the Father shows no partiality, neither can we. As the Son humbles himself to stand with sinners, we must stand with the overlooked. As the Spirit moves Peter beyond fear and prejudice, the same Spirit pushes us beyond comfort and habit.
Baptism sanctifies the ordinary. How we speak, forgive, work, serve, and welcome becomes participation in the life of the Trinity. Each small act of fidelity echoes the Father’s pleasure, the Son’s obedience, and the Spirit’s power. The Trinity does not remain in heaven after baptism—it lives and acts through us.
A baptism also touches and involves others. Your observation reminds us that we are called to raise baptism above the ceremonial and raise our lives from the worldly to the eternal while we’re still on earth. The Trinity is where heaven and earth meet.
Our baptism into the Catholic Church is the most important and significant day of our life. The most meaningful day of our life!
It is worth repeating because as Tom pointed out, our baptism isn’t just a special event for dressing up and having a party, it is the most important day of our life with a gift that lasts into eternity, the gift of the Holy Spirit when we become sharers in God’s divinity through the 3rd person of the Blessed Trinity.
Pondering this gift is actually mind blowing and frankly I think hardly anyone (including myself) can come to terms with the enormity of it.
The only legitimate response is Lord thank you and Lord help me to understand and use this greatest of gifts!
Amen
We come to terms with this gift’s value by investing it throughout our lives. Spiritual wealth comes as we mature.
Thanks Thomas!
Perhaps it would make sense to remember our baptism similar to how we remember our birthday. Does anyone know the date of their baptism? The fact that I would have to call the parish that I was baptized at in order to find out the date shows how little I am aware of the gift that this sacrament is for me. Meanwhile I will take the day off work in honor of my birthday as if my birth is something that I have earned.
Also, do we know our Godparents and have we maintained a relationship with them beyond the ceremonial? If we’re digging out our baptismal certificate, let’s look at it like a driver’s license certifying that we know how to share the road with others. Our faith teaches that all our relationships with others are God-based, whether God is in the title or not–especially with the least of our brothers and sisters. “Whatsoever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me” (Matthew 25:40)