The baptism of Jesus is considered a revelation of God. This is another “epiphany.” On this, the last day of the Christmas season, our Gospel reveals to us Jesus' relationship to God: Jesus is the son of Mary and Joseph. Jesus is proclaimed as God's own Son with whom God is well pleased. As beloved of God, in our Baptism, we claim our identity as members of the family of God.
 
On the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the scriptures read during liturgy move from the Birth of Jesus to Jesus’ public Mission. Love is the soul of Jesus’ mission. Without love, there can be no meaning or purpose in life. Without love, there can be no mission. Jesus came to save us by showing God's love for us. God’s love is shown in our love for one another. Jesus comes into the world to save us from ourselves. He came to show us what it means to be human. At His Baptism, Jesus was revealed to the world as the Beloved Son of God. In this, we are also reminded that at our baptism, together with Christ, we are confirmed as God’s beloved. What can we do during this week to remind ourselves that we are God’s beloved?

The Baptism of Jesus is a celebration of the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus. With great joy, the Father announces from heaven that he is pleased with his beloved Son. The Holy Spirit is present at Jesus’ baptism as the Spirit was present at our baptism. Let us recommit to our baptismal promise as we hear God calling us “beloved.” With hearts and hands and voices, let us constantly call out to God who will never abandon us.
 
Amid this Coronavirus pandemic and so much uncertainty in our world, our identity as a part of God’s family strengthens us in our daily struggles. During this week, let us reflect on what Thomas Merton says in this prayer: “My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does, in fact, please you.”