BAPTISM IN CHRIST: KEY TO OPEN THE HEAVENLY GATES
(Mark 1:7-11)
As a child who loved Christmas
celebrations so much even till I became an adult, the announcement made by the
priest this day made me feel unhappy, namely that Christmas is over. The
birthday celebration of Christ has ended. But living the life of those reborn
begins.
Today's celebration is the
celebration that brings to an end the Christmas season. With it, the Nativity
celebration of our Lord comes to an end for the year.
Jesus steps into the Jordan river
to be baptized by John the Baptist. The Lord comes to be baptised by His
servant. The saviour bows to receive Baptism from His messenger and insists
that it be done. He gives credit to the
message of the Baptist. He calls upon everyone to follow Him into the waters of
the new birth.
We celebrate an important feast
today; the Baptism of the Lord.
What is baptism?
The word baptism comes from the
Greek word 'baptizein' or 'baptizonto' (immersion, submersion in the water).
This takes place in a large body of water. Baptism is the sacrament of
regeneration through water in the word (CCC 213).
This first sacrament is according
to the council of Florence (Ad 1438-45) the gateway to the spiritual life (vitae
spiritualis ianua).
THE OPENED HEAVENS IN THE GOSPEL
Mark today reports that as soon
as Jesus was baptized, He saw the heavens opened. What does this mean for us?
What does it entail to say that heavens opened at the baptism of Christ? Who
closed this heaven?
This reminds us the reason for
the incarnation of Christ which we celebrated in the Nativity, that Jesus came
to save us from sin. Sin made the gates of heaven to remain shut for years till
God in His infinite love sent His only Begotten Son to free us and lead us to
heaven once again. Jesus comes to unlock in holiness the gate sin closed.
Jesus opens the gate to new
relationship with God. This was severed through disobedience which Adam and Eve
indulged in and began to flee from God. God opens His arms of love like a wide
gate to welcome us back.
God opens the heavenly gates to
introduce us to the Trinitarian family. He takes us deeper in love with God,
and makes us to take a view of the eternal life He wants us to live after our
earthly sojourn here.
He makes us to open our ears as
the heavens open to hear the word of God for us, hence the ritual of 'ephetta'
at Baptism. God sees us beloved children. Do we make Him our beloved God?
God opens the gate of salvation and of the Church for us. He makes us His children and airs of God and members of the Church.
QUESTIONS FOR THE DAY
Important questions of today
should take us to the baptismal promises we made on our own Baptism. Baptism is
not necessary for Christ. He only needed to teach us how necessary it was for
us.
What has your Baptism done for
you? Are you any changed since you were baptized? Have you made good use of the
heavens opened for you by Christ? Have you opened many other avenues and gates
to enable you make hell fire your eternal abode? God forbid.
Let the celebration of today open
gateways of virtues for us to attract blessings from God, joys of the citizens
of heaven and peace with one another here as good Christians.
LET US PRAY
Thank you, Jesus for the heavens
you have opened for us in Christ. Through the Baptism of the Lord help us to
appreciate our own Baptism. Help us to live according to the promises we made
Thee. May You speak favours upon us from above even at the last moment of our
life. We wish to hear you call us your beloved children. May we please you by
our thoughts, words and actions through Christ our Lord. Amen
Happy Sunday/ Feast of the
Baptism of our Lord.
Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh
#Baptism #Christmas #FeastOfTheBaptismOfOurLord #CatholicBaptism
Image from: Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist Painting by English School (fineartamerica.com)
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