Mark 1:7-11

Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 or Isaiah 55:11 or

Acts 10:34-38 or 1 John 5:1-9

Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10 or Isaiah 2:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6

Mark 1:7-11

This is what John the Baptist proclaimed: 

“One mightier than I is coming after me.

I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.

I have baptized you with water; 

he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee 

and was baptized in the Jordan by John.

On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open 

and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.

And a voice came from the heavens, 

“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Opening Prayer: Today I contemplate the mystery of your baptism in the Jordan. It truly is a mystery and something that far surpasses my understanding. Your baptism anticipates your death and resurrection and, at the same time, looks forward to my own death and rising to new life.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Heaven was torn open: All four Gospels narrate Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. The most unique aspect of Mark’s account is how he says that the heavens were torn open when Jesus rose up from the waters. Mark will use the same verb “to rip or tear open” at Jesus’ crucifixion when the veil of the Temple was torn open from top to bottom. Seen together, these two tearing events symbolize that the obstacle separating humanity from God has been removed. When Adam and Eve sinned, the way to paradise and eternal life with God was blocked. This was symbolized by the cherubim who was stationed at the entrance to the garden. When Moses constructed the Tabernacle and when Solomon constructed the Temple, cherubim and a veil guarded access to the inner sanctuary, to the Holy of Holies.

2. Baptism as an Anticipation of His Death and Resurrection: Jesus’ death on the Cross opens the way to paradise for us! Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan was a powerful anticipation of his death and resurrection. He was plunged into the water by John and this symbolized his death and burial. When he emerges from the water and rises up out of it, this symbolizes his resurrection on the third day. At Jesus’ Baptism, the Holy Spirit descends like a dove upon him. At Jesus’ crucifixion, the Holy Spirit, symbolized by the water, is poured out from his side upon humanity.

3. Come to the water! Isaiah 55 invites those who are thirsty to come to the water that the Lord provides. Not only will God give water to the thirsty, but he will give food, wine, and milk to the poor. The Lord asks us to heed his word and listen so that we may have life and enjoy the blessings of the everlasting covenant. One of the benefits assured to David and his royal sons was divine sonship. This benefit, through the life and death of Jesus, is now offered to us all. The way we receive this benefit, the way we become children of God, is through baptism, which is our participation in the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you are my savior. This fills me with confidence and I fear no evil. You are my strength and my courage. You have washed me with the water of salvation and given me to drink from the fountain of salvation. I thank you today and will do my best to make you known in the world so that all people may rejoice in your salvation.

Resolution: The First Letter of John tells us that we are children of God through our faith in Jesus. Our response to God should be one of love and filial obedience to God’s commandments. God’s commandments are not tyrannical arbitrary mandates. They are the path that leads to eternal life and communion with God. John reminds us that God’s commandments are not burdensome. In fact, the yoke of Christ is light because we do not bear it alone. Christ is right beside us shouldering the load. And so, if we find one of the commandments difficult to follow, we need to entrust ourselves all the more to God, asking for strength and guidance in our journey toward heaven.