Baptism of the Lord

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. This feast marks the end of the Christmas season for the Church. Though Jesus did not need to be baptized, in submitting himself to be baptized by John the Baptist, He provided an example to us. If even Christ should be baptized, how much more thankful should we be for the Sacrament of Baptism, which frees us from sin and welcomes us into the Church? “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.’” (Mark 1:9-11)