The Baptism of the Lord Year A 2026

“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Mt 3,17)

Let’s become one of the people standing near Jesus at his baptism:

I was standing ankle-deep in the River Jordan, trying to see over the crowd. The water was cold and brown, the air buzzing with whispers. John the Baptist was there, fierce as fire, calling people to change their lives. Then I saw him step forward.

He didn’t look like a king. No armour, no halo. Just Jesus of Nazareth, quiet, steady, waiting his turn like everyone else. And yet, something about him made the noise fade. It felt as if the river itself leaned closer.

When John lowered Jesus into the water, time seemed to slow down. Jesus was pushed beneath the surface three times, just like us but, when he rose, everything changed.

The sky seemed to open. Light poured down and a voice, that was both strong and tender, said, “This is my beloved Son.” And the Spirit came, gentle as a dove, resting on him. I felt it in my chest, like my heart had been awakened from sleep.

Later, I remembered the words of the prophet Isaiah that my mother used to recite: “Here is my servant, whom I uphold… He will bring justice, not by shouting, but faithfully.” Watching Jesus, I understood that this was power without violence, strength wrapped in kindness, God choosing the path of love.

St Augustine believed that God is closer to us than we are to ourselves. Standing there, soaked and shaking, that is what I experienced. God was not far away in the clouds. God was right there in the river, stepping into our mess, sharing our human life.

Afterwards, people said that Jesus was “anointed with the Holy Spirit and power” and that he went about doing good. That’s how Peter explained it years later. But I had seen the beginning. Emmanuel d’Alzon would later write that faith must move us to action. Looking at Jesus, I realised that baptism isn’t just about water—it is about a mission. Jesus didn’t rise from the Jordan to be admired, but to serve, heal and set people like us free.

John Henry Newman believed that God has a unique work for each person to do. Watching Jesus, I wondered if the Son of God chose to begin his mission through baptism and what that said about ours?

When we were baptised, the same Spirit was given to us. The same love was poured into us. We may not have heard a voice from heaven, but the truth is the same: you and I are beloved. Baptism means we are never just spectators. We are sent.

I left the river that day knowing this: the water doesn’t just wash—it awakens. And once you’ve seen the heavens open, you can never live as if they are closed again.

By Fr. Thomas O'Brien a.a.