Homily – Baptism of Our Lord

The Baptism of Our Lord – 2026

SCROLL DOWN FOR CHILDREN’S LITURGY QUESTIONS

Dear brothers and sisters, today we celebrate a very special feast: the Baptism of the Lord. This feast marks the end of the Christmas season. Jesus, who was born as a baby in Bethlehem, now steps out as an adult to begin his public mission or life. Something very important happens at the Jordan River, something that helps us understand who Jesus is and who we are as baptized Christians.

In today’s Gospel, we see Jesus’ walking to the Jordan River where John the Baptist is baptizing people. John is calling people to change their lives, to turn away from sin, and to prepare their hearts for God. The people who come to John know they are sinners. They come asking for forgiveness. Then Jesus arrives. This surprises everyone, especially John. John knows that Jesus is holy. He even says, “I should be baptized by you.” John is basically asking the same question we might ask: Why would Jesus need to be baptized?

Jesus did not have any sin. He never did anything wrong. He did not need baptism to be forgiven. So why was Jesus baptized? Jesus was baptized for us, not for Himself. First, Jesus was baptized to show humility. Even though He is the Son of God, He did not act better than others. He stood in line with ordinary people. He stepped into the same water as sinners. Jesus shows us that true greatness means humility. Second, Jesus was baptized to stand with us. He wanted to show that He is truly one of us. He shares our life, our struggles, and our journey. By entering the water, Jesus is saying, “I am with you.” Third, Jesus was baptized to begin His mission. This moment marks the start of His public ministry. From the Jordan River, He will go on to preach, heal, forgive, and finally give His life for us on the cross.

And then something beautiful happens. The heavens open. The Holy Spirit comes down like a dove. And a voice from heaven says: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” This is not just about Jesus only. But this is also about us. When you were baptized—whether as a baby or as an adult—God spoke over you too. Maybe not with a loud voice, but with the same love. God said, “You are my beloved child.” Through baptism, we become part of God’s family. We are no longer just people living in the world. We are children of God. For children, this means something very simple: You belong to God. God loves you. God is happy when you try to do what is right. For adults, it is the same truth, just lived more deeply.

Dear brothers and sisters, as we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, let us remember that Jesus stepped into the waters of the Jordan not because He needed forgiveness, but because He chose to walk with us. In that moment, He showed us God’s great love and opened the way for our own baptism. Today, God reminds each one of us who we are: His beloved sons and daughters. Our baptism calls us to live with faith, kindness, and hope, and to let God’s love be seen in the way we speak, act, and care for one another and also, let us carry this truth in our hearts: we belong to God, we are loved by God, and we are sent to live as children of the light. And may our lives give glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Amen 

CHILDREN’S LITURGY QUESTIONS – Baptism of the Lord

1. Did the Holy Spirit come down like a dove? Yes
2. Was Jesus baptized by King Herod? No
3. Did Jesus go to the Jordan River? Yes
4. Did John the Baptist live in a palace? No
5. Did a voice come from heaven? Yes
6. Did Jesus ask John to baptize him? Yes
7. Did the voice say Jesus was God’s beloved Son? Yes
8. Did Jesus get baptized because he sinned? No
9. Did John the Baptist feel unworthy to baptize Jesus? Yes
10. Did the Holy Spirit come down like a stone? No
11. Did God the Father show love for Jesus? Yes
12. Did the sky stay closed after Jesus was baptized? No
13. Did John refuse forever to baptize Jesus? No
14. Was Jesus baptized in the desert sand? No
15. Does baptism make us children of God? Yes
16. Did people hear God’s voice from heaven? Yes
17. Was baptism the start of Jesus’ mission? Yes
18. Did Jesus run away after his baptism? No
19. Was the Jordan River a real place? Yes
20. Did everyone pretend nothing happened? No