Baptism of the Lord.   “This is my Son, the beloved. Listen to him.” Mt. 3:13-17

Today we pray with this fact of Jesus’ life, a pivotal moment in his history. He sympathizes with the conversion movement promoted by John, receiving Baptism from his hands, despite John’s resistance. Afterwards, Jesus does not return to his work in Nazareth or adhere to John’s movement but lives something deeper; He feels immersed in the Spirit of the Father and recognizes himself as the Son of God. His life is centered on radiating that unfathomable love of the Father who wants to save everyone. It is significant that Jesus, while announcing the Kingdom of God, never speaks of God as King, but as Father. The Synodal Church asks us to return to the grace of Baptism in order to feel and act as children of God, all of us brothers and sisters.