Jesus identifies himself with us even though he is pure love. Sunday Reflections, The Baptism of the Lord, Year A

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The Gospel According to Matthew, Baptism scene
Directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini

Where the Epiphany is celebrated this year on its proper date, Friday 6 January, e.g.,England & Wales and in Ireland, the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated on Sunday 8 January this year, bringing the Christmas Season to an end, with the First Week of Ordinary Time beginning on Monday 9 January.

In countries where the celebration of the Epiphany is transferred to Sunday 8 January this year the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated on Monday 9 January and Ordinary Time begins on Tuesday 9 January. These countries include Australia, Philippines, Scotland and the USA

Readings (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa)

Readings (New American Bible: Philippines, USA)

Gospel Matthew 3:13-17 (English Standard Version Anglicised: India)  

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”


Léachtaí i nGaeilge 


Baptism of Christ, 1596-1600
El Greco [Web Gallery of Art]

El Greco painted the Baptism of Christ a number of times. In the painting above he shows Jesus kneeling before his cousin St John the Baptist, as does Pasolini in his film The Gospel According to Matthew, with nothing, just as John had nothing. Both were totally open to the will of God the Father.

Please continue at Bangor to Bobbio.

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