The Baptism of the Lord (Homily)

January 10, 2016 7:00 am  · Father David Mbimadong

Homilies, Christmas & Epiphany

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. At His Baptism in the Jordan, God the Father proclaimed Jesus His beloved Son and anointed Him to bring peace to all people through the healing of all their sins. St Luke in the Gospel recounts how John the Baptist declared before all the people that, when the Christ would come He would baptize the people with the Holy Spirit and Fire.

In a sense the Christ would come to purge all the people of their guilt and sin.  The fire of the Holy Spirit would burn out all the dirt of their sin and shame.  And there would be joy among the people that Christ comes to fulfill the prophecy of the prophet Isaiah.  He is the one of whom Isaiah prophesied and said, "Speak to the heart of Jerusalem and call to her, that her time of servitude is ended.   That her sin is atoned for.  Shout with a loud voice, shout without fear, say here is the Lord coming with power."