Jesus is like us in all things but does not sin.  For him to go down so means he goes up and saves us from ruin and death.

Jesus does not hesitate to go down into the waters of the Jordan to receive John’s baptism.  And those who come to John confess their sins and he baptizes them. 

But Jesus has no sin.  Hence, John objects.  For the one without sin who comes after should baptize his forerunner.  John’s objection may also be due to his expecting a Messiah-judge.

But for Jesus to go down to the Jordan to be baptized means he is one with sinners. So, rather than look like a Messiah who judges and punishes sinners, he shows he is one of them.  And he insists that folks take him to be so to fulfill all justice.  That is, to do God’s will, his plan.

John, in turn, goes along and obeys.  So then, as Jesus receives baptism, he wholly surrenders to God and his plan.  To his will also, yes, that the One he sends and anoints be a lowly, obedient and suffering servant.

As he does not fail to go down thus, the heavens open.  And the Holy Spirit comes down like a dove and rests on him.  Besides, a voice from the heavens proclaims him the beloved Son.

That is, his humble act of compassion and communion leads to his exaltation.  He will later empty himself, take the form of a servant, humble himself, and obey unto death on the cross.  And that is why God will lift him up.

Yet, here and now, Jesus asks us:  “Can you drink my cup and be true to my and your baptism?”  And to drink his cup and to be baptized means to be the slave of all.  Not to be served but to serve, and to give up the body and shed blood.  To lose so as to win.

Lord Jesus, grant that we grasp that selfishness, greed, wreaks havoc in ourselves, in families and communities.  In all places, in the world.  Give us your humble and self-emptying love that reaches out to others.  For such love alone can save us from ruin and death.  Through it, too, we live as brothers and sisters, sons and daughters of our one Father in heaven. Hence, to love like you, to go down like you, means to live here and now in the kingdom of heaven and to go up there.  And give us eyes and a heart directed toward the poor.  We shall thus feel for others and not just be caricatures of Christians (SV.EN XII:222).

11 January 2026
Baptism of the Lord (A)
Is 42, 1-4. 6-7; Acts 10, 34-38; Mt 3, 13-17