The baptism of the Lord, which usually falls in January, concludes the Christmas and Epiphany season and marks the beginning of the Ordinary Time of the Year in the Church’s Calendar.     The month of January is when most people return to their normal life routines and work with little or no money; after all the fun, excitement and celebrations of Christmas and family reunions.   It is also the time of the year when parents face the burden of paying the school fees of their children as well as other attendant bills; when students and workers return back to schools and workplaces.    In general, this period of the year does not exactly represent the most interesting time of the year for obvious reasons.     Similarly, Jesus’ baptism marked the beginning of his earthly ministry with all the difficulties associated with it.   His baptism was not a defensive shield against the buffets of our sinful world.    Rather it was in fulfillment of all that righteousness demanded for our sake.    The baptism of Jesus did not remove the impending challenges, disapproval, arrest, passion and death from his path.    In his divine humility, he who is sinless submitted to the ritual that identified him with sinful humanity[1].   

Furthermore, by insisting on going through the ritual of baptism in spite of John’s hesitation, Jesus further sets an example for us in the respect and observance of ‘due process’ in the manner we discharge our duties in our workplaces and in our general attitude to life.    How can we make this New Year and the world a better time and place for our fellow human beings after the example of Jesus Christ who though is God, became man in order that we might all be saved? 

[1] Emeric Lawrence,OSB.  Daily Meditations for Advent and Christmas Season, ( Bandra, India: Paulines Press, 2005), p.130.