Scripture for Life: After allowing himself to be baptized, Jesus heard the divine voice say, "You are my beloved Son." Jesus had received not just a baptism, but an affirmation and a naming.

We learn from the baptism, first, that the ministry of Jesus is not just a good-will mission of healing, teaching, and friendly intercourse. It is a ministry of self-identification with sinners.

Last Sunday (Jan. 12) most Christian churches celebrated the baptism of Jesus, an event in his life I always found confusing. I could never understand why Jesus was baptized.

For Jesus, the baptism was the mysterious start of his mission, an act in unity with fallen humanity but also the point at which the heavens opened, the Holy Spirit descended on him, ...

Jesus’ baptism, therefore, manifests his intent to save us. It is also an extremely important Christological event: it is the opportunity for a “theophany,” a “divine manifestation.” ...

At Jesus’ baptism, a voice from the heavens says, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” He fulfills the prophecy in today’s first reading from Isaiah: ...

Acknowledgment: “You are my beloved Son.”Jesus receives this acknowledgment from his Father for the faith of those who heard it and to acquire this gift for us. In our own baptism we become ...

Jesus’ baptism is the one true baptism, so “every other baptism unites us to the baptism of Jesus.” Baptism is performative. It “doesn’t just picture an announcement, [it] announces.” It is the gospel ...

Three Brazilian teenagers diagnosed with autism were recently baptized in ceremonies specially tailored to their needs ...

The baptism marks the beginning of Jesus' public ministry. Many modern-day visitors don white robes and immerse themselves in the sacred waters in a show of faith. Churches were built in the area ...