Homily on the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord
Isaiah 40:1–5, 9–11; Psalm 104; Titus 2:11–14; 3:4–7; Luke 3:15–16, 21–22
Living from Our True Identity
Today, the Church invites us to stand on the banks of the Jordan River and witness a sacred moment: Jesus steps into the waters, not because He needs cleansing, but because He chooses solidarity. The sinless One enters our broken world to lift it up. And as He rises from the water, the heavens open, the Spirit descends, and the Father’s voice resounds:
“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
This is not only a revelation of who Jesus is — it is a revelation of who we are.
In baptism, we too were claimed by God. We were named “beloved.” Before we accomplished anything, before we failed or succeeded, before we proved ourselves to anyone — God spoke the same truth over our lives: You are my beloved.
Yet so many people live as if they are unloved, unworthy, unseen. The world tries to name us by our mistakes, our wounds, our fears, our past. But God names us by love.
Jesus’ baptism marks the beginning of His public mission. It reminds us that our mission begins not with what we do, but with who we are. Identity comes before activity. Belonging comes before serving.
And notice something powerful:
Jesus is baptized before He preaches, before He heals, before He performs miracles.
The Father affirms Him before the world sees His works.
Why?
Because God’s love is not a reward — it is a foundation.
When we know we are beloved, we can face suffering without despair.
When we know we are beloved, we can love others without fear.
When we know we are beloved, we can live with courage, humility, and hope.
At the Jordan, heaven opens.
At our baptism, heaven opened for us too.
The Spirit rests on us.
The Father calls us His own.
Today is not just about remembering Jesus’ baptism.
It is about reclaiming our identity: You are not forgotten. You are not invisible. You are not defined by your worst day. You are God’s beloved — and from that love, everything else flows.
Three Takeaways
1. Your identity comes from God, not the world.
The world labels us by success, failure, or status. God calls us “beloved.” Live from that truth.
2. You are loved before you are productive.
God affirmed Jesus before His ministry began. You don’t earn love — you live from it.
3. Baptism is a mission, not just a memory.
We are baptized to bring light, hope, and mercy into the world.
God Bless you!
