The Baptism of the Lord

"Expectations and Humility: Lessons from the Baptism of the Lord through Transformative Encounters”

By Michelle Orellana, SSpS

Today’s readings invite us to reflect deeply on themes of hope, peace, humility, and the transformative power of baptism. Through the prophetic words of Isaiah, the psalmist’s proclamation of peace, Peter’s recounting of Jesus’ baptism, and Luke’s Gospel narrative, we are drawn into a richer understanding of God’s presence and action in our lives. This reflection seeks to connect the readings with personal experiences, highlighting the enduring relevance of Scripture in our daily journey of faith.

The First Reading from Isaiah (Is 42:1-4, 6-7) introduces the figure of the Servant, a central character in the “Book of Consolation.” This text, attributed to the Second Isaiah, is the first canticle of the Servant and holds significant messianic and Christological value[1]. The author’s words offer hope, shedding light on the problem of innocent suffering through the Servant’s faithful obedience to God’s plan. As the reading unfolds, we recognize two distinct oracles “one addressed to the community (v. 1: ‘Here is my Servant’) and the other, in part, to the Servant himself (v. 5ss: ‘Thus says the Lord God)”[2]. These verses connect beautifully with Luke’s Gospel, where God declares, “You are my beloved Son; with you, I am well pleased”.

The Responsorial Psalm (Ps 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10) proclaims, “The Lord will bless his people with peace” The peace referred to here is not a worldly, superficial peace but the profound biblical concept of shalom (שלום) that means ‘to be in, to enjoy, to live in…’. “This concept is central to Hebrew thought, signified a fullness of life and joy, a state of holistic well-being. Against the ‘cheap peace’ of false prophets (Jer 6:14; Ez 13:10), the biblical prophets insisted that there is no peace without justice (Is 32:17; 48:18; 60:17). ‘The fruit of justice will be peace’ (Is 32:17). The psalmist describes true shalom as a ‘kiss’ between justice and peace, in the presence of truth (Ps 85:10-12 NRSV). The prophets reveal their profound commitment to peace in their vision of eschatological Shalom. Peace, which in ‘this age’ is only partially realized, appears as a principal gift of the coming kingdom. The Messiah will be called the ‘Prince of Peace’ and will destroy military boots and instruments of war (Is 9:4-5; 60:17; Zech 9:9-10)[3].

The Second Reading (Acts 10:34-38) recounts Peter’s narration of Jesus’ baptism, emphasizing “how God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power”. Through this, Jesus proclaimed peace and healed those oppressed by evil. This peace aligns with the psalm’s vision and points to the transformative presence of Christ, the Prince of Peace, in our lives.

In Luke’s Gospel (Lk 3:15-16, 21-22), three key themes emerge:

1. The expectations

When the evangelist says, “The people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts…,” he captures the anticipation surrounding John the Baptist. At that time, John’s way of life was awe-inspiring. He lived in the desert, and his clothing resembled that of a prophet. He called people to conversion and fulfilled his mission by preparing the way for the Lord. Many listened to him, but not the Pharisees and teachers of the law, who opposed his baptism (cf. Lk 7:29-30).

The Hebrews, particularly during the Second Temple period, eagerly awaited a Messiah (Mashiach in Hebrew, meaning “anointed one”) who would fulfill their hopes for deliverance and restoration. However, the concept of the Messiah varied among different groups and times in Jewish history. Some envisioned a Kingly Leader (Davidic Messiah), others a Military Deliverer (as in the Maccabean revolt or under Roman rule), or a Prophet like Moses. They had their expectations, just as we have ours for the people around us.

In our own lives, we often find ourselves full of expectations, especially when embarking on something new. Sometimes, our expectations exceed reality, leading to frustration. A friend once told me, “Don’t expect too much from a new place. Go without expectations”. Another friend advised, “The day you stop expecting anything from someone, you will be happy”. On the contrary, a third friend argued, “It’s not good to have no expectations at all; you always need to expect at least a little”.

Over time, I’ve realized that expectations are part of who I am. Perhaps this is why I sometimes suffer internally—I expect so much from my friends, family, community, superiors, and especially myself. Many times, I’ve resolved to stop expecting anything from others, but even when I suffer in silence or question myself, I still care, hope, and believe in change, creativity, and sincerity.

2. Mightier than I

John the Baptist’s response to the people highlights his humility and profound recognition of Jesus’ divine mission. By stating, “One mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals” (Luke 3:16), John acknowledges his role as the forerunner and contrasts his humanity with Jesus’ divine authority. Loosening someone’s sandals was a task reserved for the lowest servant, yet John declares himself unworthy even of this.

His words remind us of Christ’s greatness and call us to humility, recognizing that all we do should point to Him. John’s role was not to draw attention to himself but to prepare hearts for the coming of the Messiah, the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire. Are we humble enough to recognize Christ’s might and authority in our lives? Do our words and actions point others to Him?

3. The Centrality of Baptism and the Presence of the Holy Spirit

At Jesus’ baptism, we witness a profound moment of revelation: the heavens open, the Holy Spirit descends upon Him in the form of a dove, and the voice of the Father declares, “You are my beloved Son; with you, I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22). This event not only marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry but also reveals the Trinity—the Father’s voice, the Son in the waters, and the Spirit descending.

The Holy Spirit’s appearance as a dove symbolizes peace, purity, and the new creation brought about through Christ. In Scripture, the Holy Spirit is depicted in various forms, such as fire (Pentecost), wind (creation and Pentecost), and water (baptism and life). Each form reflects a unique aspect of the Spirit’s action—purifying, empowering, renewing, and sustaining.

We must remember that baptism is not just a ritual; it is a transformative encounter with God. Through baptism, we are cleansed, renewed, and filled with the Holy Spirit. Do we live out the grace of our baptism daily? Are we open to the guidance and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives?

The readings today invite us to embrace hope, pursue justice, and cultivate humility. They remind us that true peace comes from aligning our lives with God’s will and trusting in His transformative power. As we reflect on our expectations and the grace of baptism, may we strive to live as faithful servants, open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and ready to share God’s peace with the world.

[1] Tabet M., Introducción al Antiguo Testamento. Libros Proféticos, Palabra, Madrid 2009, 145.

[2] Ibid., 145.

[3] Comentario Biblico Latinoamericano. Antiguo Testamento, Verbo Divino, Estella (Navarra) 2005, 321.