Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 / Acts 10:34-38 / Luke 3:15-16, 21-22
There are seven Sacraments in the Church and Baptism is one of the seven Sacraments.
In fact, Baptism can be called the first of the seven Sacraments because with and through Baptism, we can then receive the rest of the Sacraments.
And as much as Baptism is the first and necessary Sacrament, the Rite of Baptism utilizes a simple and humble element, and that is water.
Whether it is Infant Baptism or Adult Baptism, water is poured three times on the head as the priest says, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
Most of us are baptized that way, although some may have been baptized by immersion. Whatever it may be, both are valid forms of baptism.
The element of water is also significant for baptism. It washes away sin, gives new life, and with baptism, we share in the identity of Christ, and that is why we are officially called Christians.
The water also has a special significance. It is blessed and the act of pouring water over the head symbolizes the Holy Spirit coming down upon the one who is baptized.
Water is also one of the symbols of the Holy Spirit, besides fire, oil, wind and of course, the dove.
So, to be baptized and to be a Christian means that we are another Christ for others.
Like Christ, we are also empowered by the Holy Spirit to be witnesses of the Good News of salvation.
Like Christ, we are called to love and to serve as Christ did. But to love and to serve as Jesus did is certainly not an easy task.
As the 2nd reading tells us, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil.
Doing good is already challenging enough. Trying to help those who have fallen into the power of the devil is difficult.
On this Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we recall and reflect on our baptism and our mission in this world.
And as we are baptized with water, we may want to reflect about the properties of water, and how it is relevant to our spiritual lives.
Flowing water may not have a particular shape and it has a soothing feeling. Yet in the confrontation between flowing water and the rock, the flowing water will always win. Because the hard rock will be slowly worn away by the flowing water.
And in the process the rock gets polished and become smooth and even pretty.
So, since we are baptized with water, then we may also need to be like water, especially when we are faced with the difficult people and situations in life.
When we are faced with difficult people, let us be like water that will soften our hearts and theirs, so that there will be refreshing and soothing encounter.
When we fight fire with fire, the result will only be a bigger fire that will burn and destroy.
And when people throw stones at us, throwing stones back will only result in sparks that will pierce and hurt.
Let us remember that in the confrontation between the flowing water and hard rock, the flowing water will win, eventually.
So, let us be like the waters of our baptism, let us go with the flow of the power of the Holy Spirit, and we will be able to live up to our baptismal calling of being witnesses of the Good News of salvation.