The feast of the Baptism of the Lord marks the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus, of proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom of God. Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit at his baptism to help him carry out his mission – the Gospel reading from Mark 1:7-11 explains how “the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily shape, like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you’”.
Reflecting on the Baptism of the Lord offers an opportunity to think about the graces which the Sacrament of Baptism has given us. Baptism opens up each person to a life shared with God. Through the sacrament we received the gift of the Holy Spirit making us share intimately in the life of God, who loves us unconditionally and calls his children.
As children of God we each have a share in the Church’s mission of evangelisation. Being missionary in daily life means flourishing in the graces of our baptism. The Holy Spirit dwells in us from that moment and is reinforced through our Confirmation giving us the courage to say yes to God and to live the Christian life with renewed zeal. Strengthened by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we can embrace our missionary identity more fully in action, heart, and mind by spending time with the Lord in prayer; witnessing to his love by our compassion for others; and sharing the joy of the Gospel through the everyday encounters of our lives.
