Reflection for January 11, 2026

Baptism of the Lord (A)

Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 | Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10 | Acts 10:34-38 | Matthew 3:13-17

​Today, in union with the whole Church, we celebrate the great event of the Baptism of the Lord. At his Baptism, the Spirit proclaims Jesus as the Messiah: the PRIEST who would sacrifice his life for others, the PROPHET who would reveal God’s presence in word and action, and the KING who would proclaim his kingdom from the cross.

​Combining parents’ names has become a beloved modern strategy for naming children—why choose one name when you can confuse everyone with two? During a baptismal ceremony, Fr. Harold asks the first couple, “What name do you give your son?” “CELPON, Father,” they reply confidently. Fr. Harold blinks. “I’m sorry… CELPON? Are you absolutely sure? “Yes, Father,” the parents explain proudly. “My wife’s name is Celia, and mine is Ponciano.” Fr. Harold nods slowly, the way people do when they’re trying to process bad decisions. “Hmm… that sounds… very creative.” Trying to recover, he turns to the next baby. “And who are the parents of this little girl?” “Charmaine and Roger, Father,” they answer. Fr. Harold smiles in relief. “Ah! Beautiful names,” he says warmly. “And what name do you give your daughter?” “CHARGER, Father!” Fr. Harold freezes—silently wondering if the baptism now includes a USB port.

Much of the book of Isaiah deals with the Babylonian Exile, Our First Reading begins with a word of encouragement for the Jewish captives who are experiencing the Exile. The text portrays the Lord's "Suffering Servant" who is commissioned to "bring forth justice" to the world. He has gentle respect for others. He accomplishes his mission modestly and quietly, not whipping people into conformity but transforming them interiorly. Just as we have many ways in which we might be named and identified, Jesus also was identified in many different ways. In this particular text, Jesus is referred to as the "Suffering Servant" who is being sent to open the eyes of the blind and be a light for those in the darkness, quietly serving and loving.

John, a well-known alcoholic, finally decided to seek divine intervention for his drinking problem. So one day, he walked into a church, hoping heaven had a stronger solution than rehab. After a long and serious conversation, Fr. Paul looked at him and asked, “Are you baptized?” John shook his head. “No, Father.” “Well then,” Fr. Paul said with confidence, “I will baptize you today, and you will become a new man.” Without further delay, the priest plunged John into the baptismal water—once, twice, three times—and declared, “You are now a new creature! Alcohol has no place in your life anymore! You are no longer John. From this day on, you shall be called Joseph—clean, healthy, and renewed!” Joseph found the whole experience a little strange… but he really liked it. So he went straight home, opened the refrigerator, took out a cold bottle of beer, dipped it into a glass of water, and solemnly announced: “You are now a new creature! You are no longer beer… you are orange juice.” Miracles, apparently, work both ways.

In Baptism, we are made a new person, a new creation. Our Second Reading takes place at the home of Cornelius, the Roman centurion. Though he was a Gentile, he was clearly “a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.” (Acts 10:2). Cornelius truly loved God and wanted to please him. God moves Peter to go to Cornelius to tell him about Jesus Christ and baptize him and his household, although they were Gentiles. This episode tells us that whoever fears God and acts uprightly is acceptable to God. He receives the Spirit and becomes a new person, a new creation.

During a baptismal ceremony, Fr. Joel cheerfully asks, “So… what names do you give your triplets?” Joan answers without hesitation, “Mercedes, Rolls-Royce, and Ford, Father.” Fr. Joel pauses. Blinks. Then asks, “I’m sorry—did you just name your children after cars?” “Yes, Father,” Joan replies proudly. “I love cars. Everything about them.” Fr. Joel sighs, nods in acceptance, and says, “Alright then, let’s skip the holy water.” He looks at the triplets and adds, “What do you want me to pour on their heads—Premium or Unleaded?”

Why did Jesus submit himself to baptism with water? Our Gospel tells us that Jesus did not descend into the waters because he needed to, but because we needed him to. He is the sinless, divine Son of God, and the baptism administered by John the Baptist was a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Therefore, Jesus had no need to be baptized. Yet he chose to do so for three important reasons. First, Jesus was baptized in order to reveal God to humanity. As the Incarnate Word of the Father was immersed in the waters, the voice of the Father was heard and the Holy Spirit descended. In this moment, the Trinity—the communion of divine Persons in perfect unity—was revealed. Second, through his baptism, Jesus left for us the means by which we are spiritually reborn. By entering the waters of the Jordan River, he sanctified them and made the waters of baptism a place for the working of the Holy Spirit. Just as the Spirit hovered over the waters during Creation (Genesis 1:2), so the Spirit hovered over the waters in which the Son was immersed by John. In this way, Jesus sanctified the waters and, as the Fathers of the Church teach, instituted the Sacrament of Baptism through his actions. Lastly, Jesus was baptized to fully identify himself with Israel and its history. He accepted and inaugurated his ministry by identifying with the Suffering Servant described by Isaiah (Isaiah 49:1–6; 50:4–11; 52:13–53:12; 42:1–4, 6–7), whose mission was to bear suffering on behalf of the people and to bring justice, judgment, and salvation to all as God’s chosen agent. This feast invites us to reflect not only on the Lord’s Baptism, but also on our own. Baptism is not about where we find Jesus; it is about what we do once we have found him. Our baptism should constantly remind us of our identity and mission—of who we are and whose we are. In the Church, we share an intimate union with Christ, who calls us to participate in his saving and sanctifying mission as priest, prophet, and king. The question for all of us who have received this powerful sacrament remains: What are we doing with it?

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