Today is the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. It is also called "Theophany," from theos, God, and phanos, apparition. God appeared among us in a special way, and in a special way, all three Persons of the Trinity: the father by His voice, the Son in the flesh, and the Spirit as a dove. It was important to St. John the Baptist, too, for before the baptism, he hadn't recognized Jesus. There's a good chance the cousins hadn't met as adults and thus naturally wouldn't have (physically) recognized each other -- at least John wouldn't. But he recognized Our Lord's holiness and in a brave declaration of humility declared, "I ought to be baptized by thee, and comest thou to me?" Since John's baptism was purely a baptism of repentance, John is declaring he is a greater sinner than this one. And then the sign. We don't know who all saw (and heard) it. John for sure. Perhaps others. Our Lord himself. For John it was a confirmation of the sign he had awaited -- the Spirit would descend on the One. Now, neither he nor the others could have expected nor been prepared for one like a Dove, since doves were offered in sacrifice but that's the only role they played int he Jewish religion. But also John (and maybe others) heard the magnificent and powerful voice. (I think of the roar of the Lion in the Narnia books.) And one also for sure heard it -- Jesus himself. "He knew his own sonship, for he WAS God. Yet it must have been the same kind of thrill to his human soul as to any other creature of God to hear from the Father himself the words 'In thee I am well pleased.' " - Frank Sheed.
May we all hear the words "well done, good and faithful servant" at the end of our lives. May we, who first died with Him in baptism, rise with Him at the end. Happy Baptism Day, everybody!
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