The Baptism of the Lord

Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan, unto John, to be baptized by him. But John stayed him, saying: I ought to be baptized by thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering, said to him: Suffer it to be so now. For so it becometh us to fulfill all justice. Then he suffered him. And Jesus being baptized, forthwith came out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened to him: and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him. And behold a voice from heaven, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Matthew 3:13-17 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father your servant John felt the power of your Son and knew it was Him that should baptize instead. But our dearest Jesus requested that for this one time, John should do it. Jesus has obeyed you in all things and he asked the same of John. Do we obey Jesus when he asks us to do His Will as well as do yours. His obedience showed us how pleased you were when he did your Will. To think that you spoke from heaven for all those present to hear you and it recorded for all time, so it could be established the fact that Jesus is your beloved Son. What you would do for us to help us realize we are just as important to you as Jesus. You give us a cleansing by our baptism and free us from original sin from the very source of life, the water that purifies, cleanses and nourishes in many ways. May we find the water we use daily a reminder of our baptism and the source that it comes from the very Throne of God and the Lamb. Amen