The Baptism of the Lord
Today we commemorate the Baptism of Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist in the Jordan River. Although it was not necessary for Jesus to be baptized, He does so as an example for us and an exercise in humility. As today Jesus prepares to begin His public ministry this is the last day of the Christmas season and the beginning of Ordinary Time. The color white or gold is used liturgically to symbolize the glory of God and the purity of Christ. Typically the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated liturgically the Sunday after Epiphany or January 13th in some places. When the Epiphany falls on the 7th or 8th it’s moved to the Monday after (January 8th or 9th). Since this feast begins Ordinary Time, the Sunday after the feast is the second Sunday of Ordinary Time no matter the date. Christ’s Baptism in other denominations of Christianity are celebrated with the Feast of the Epiphany as Christ's Baptism and His first miracle, the Wedding at Cana are all Theophanies, revelations of God. The Wedding at Cana is a unique commemoration as it is representative of Mary’s intercession because at Her request Jesus performs His first miracle. Jesus refers to Mary as “woman” not out of disrespect but because the title denotes Her as the woman God says will crush the head of the serpent and is indicitive of Mary being the New Eve who’s obedience undid the first Eve’s disobedience. Further private devotions also reflect on The Flight into Egypt on January 7th.
While there are no particular customs observed today it is a good day to renew our Baptismal Promises ! As consecration to Mary is seen as a renewal of these promises we can add to the end of our renewal “and today I renew my consecration to you Mother, my whole being, all that I am and all that I have without reserve.”
Today is a good day to recognize the importance of Holy Water!
It’s a good day to pray the Luminous Mysteries as the feature Christ’s Baptism and Public Ministry.
Christ is Baptized (Movie Clip)
A Mystic Witnesses Christ's Baptism Bk 5 Ch 6
Another Vision (Ch 7)
A Look at the Site Where Jesus Was Baptized
Artwork of the Wedding at Cana
Artwork of the Flight Into Egypt
About Ordinary Time
How to know if it's year A,B or C
Pre- Lent (The Church no longer commemorates Septuagesima and only has Ordinary Time and Lent. The customs mentioned herein then normally occur privately at homes on the last few days before Lent. Carnival is more widely celebrated outside of America but this non-liturgical season which begins on Epiphany will continue until 11:59 on Mardi Gras.)
Word of God Sunday
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord typically falls on the first Sunday of Ordinary Time as it is this action of Our Lord that begins His public ministry and thus it also closes the Christmas Season as Christ has grown “in wisdom and favor with God and Man”. The second Sunday in certain years recalls Christ’s first public miracle which takes place at the Wedding Feast at Cana. In other cases it is celebrated on January 6th (see above). The third Sunday is a newly commemorated day instituted by our Holy Father, Pope Francis in 2019 known as Word of God Sunday.
Resources for Celebrating Word of God Sunday
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