On Sunday we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. We can approach it in two ways: we can either assume that we know what baptism is all about and try to ram Jesus baptism into our pre-conceived ideas, or we can let the mystery we hear proclaimed form our understanding of baptism. If we choose the former we will be jumping through theological hoops trying to see why Jesus came for baptism as he was without original sin, and reduce the commemoration to a piece of play-acting.

If we choose the latter course then our understanding of Jesus and of baptism will be deepened and enlarged. In his baptism Jesus is revealed as the Father s beloved Son. The Holy Spirit is poured out upon him to equip him for the task of proclaiming the Kingdom of God.

Some of the early Fathers of the Church would tell those who sought to learn more about God Go to Jordan, where you may hear and see the Trinity .

Sunday's feast celebrates God's self-revelation as Father, Son, and Spirit, but it also reminds us that we too share in their divine life and love. Our baptism took place not just in the name of the Trinity but in the power of the Trinity. As Jesus was revealed as the Father s beloved Son and given the Holy Spirit, we too have been made the adopted beloved children of the Father and filled with the Spirit.

P.D.