Collect Series: Solemnity of Baptism of Our Lord.

 COLLECT SERIES.

The Mass: Collect Series icon.

Collect

The Collect for Solemnity of Baptism of the Lord reads as follows:

Almighty ever-living God,

who, when Christ had been baptized in the River Jordan

and as the Holy Spirit descended upon him,

solemnly declared him your beloved Son,

grant that your children by adoption, reborn of water and the Holy Spirit,

may always be well pleasing to you.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. What does the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord mean to me?

2. What does ‘being a child of God through adoption’ mean to me?

3.  Do I hear God say to me’ You are my Son/daughter the Beloved- My favour rests on You’?

4.What is my relationship with the Holy Spirit?  How might I deepen that relationship this year?

5.How will I be pleasing to God this coming week/this month/this year?

 

 

 

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION

The Solemnity of the Baptism of Our Lord that we celebrate on the First Sunday of Ordinary Time is a powerful moment in the life of Jesus: His baptism in the Jordan River. This is often called the "second epiphany" or manifestation of the Lord. Just as we saw His glory revealed to the Magi at the Epiphany, here we see another unveiling of who Jesus truly is.

This Solemnity holds a unique place in the Church calendar—it marks the end of Christmastide and serves as the bridge into Ordinary Time. It’s not just a transition of seasons, but a call to move from the extraordinary celebration of Christmas into the steady rhythm of discipleship.

In His baptism, Jesus, the sinless Son of God, steps into the waters of the Jordan among sinners, humbling Himself to take on the weight of our sins. This moment is not just symbolic; it’s transformational. Jesus chooses to identify fully with humanity, showing us the depth of His love and His mission to bring redemption to the world.

In other words, Jesus, the sinless Son of God, steps into the waters of the Jordan to be baptised among sinners. He lowers Himself to take on the weight of our sins and to become one of us in our humanity, though He, Himself is without sin.   Jesus identifies fully with humanity, showing us the depth of His love and His mission to bring redemption to the world.

At Christmas, we reflected on the Word made flesh—Jesus, born of Mary, taking on our human nature. Now, in His baptism, we see the fullness of that mystery. This is the moment when Jesus is revealed as the Christ, the Anointed One, and the eternal Son of the Father. The voice of the Father from heaven declares: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17). The Holy Spirit, descending like a dove, confirms this truth.

This scene displays to us the Trinitarian nature of God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—working together in perfect harmony. It is a moment that echoes the creation story in Genesis, where the Spirit hovered over the waters. Just as God created the world in the beginning, here Jesus begins a new creation, bringing healing and restoration to all.

Jesus’ baptism is also the start of His public ministry. In the culture of Israel, reaching 30 years of age marked maturity, when a person could take on the role of teacher. At this point, Jesus steps forward as our teacher and Saviour, carrying out the mission for which He was sent. The Baptism of the Lord is a pivotal moment since this sending forth and His Baptism herald for Him and for us the commencement of His public ministry. He was now old enough to become a teacher of the law. At this point, Jesus steps forward as our teacher and Saviour, carrying out the mission for which He was sent. We too are sent forth at every Mass, to live out our Baptism and carry out the mission which Jesus asks of us individually.  Will I step forward like Jesus and fulfil that mission like Jesus started on that day in the Jordan.

In this Solemnity at the beginning of Ordinary Time, Jesus shows us the path we are called to follow. Through our own baptism, we are united with Him, becoming children of God and part of this new creation. The waters of baptism cleanse, renew, and send us forth to live as disciples.

As this Solemnity transitions us into Ordinary Time, it invites us to consider how we live out our discipleship in the everyday. Ordinary Time is anything but ordinary—it’s a season of growth, renewal, and walking with Jesus in the small and large moments of life. Through the Psalms and the Gospels, we are reminded that our faith is lived out not just in grand celebrations but in the quiet, steady rhythm of daily life.

Pope Benedict XVI beautifully described this moment: "Jesus loaded the burden of all mankind’s guilt upon His shoulders; He bore it down into the depths of the Jordan. He inaugurated His public activity by stepping into the place of sinners." This profound act of love invites us to encounter Jesus more deeply and to recognize the call to renewal in our own lives.

As we reflect on this powerful mystery, let us ask ourselves: How can we live out our baptismal call today? How can we, like Jesus, step into the waters of life with humility and love, bringing hope and renewal to the world around us?