The responsorial psalm reminds us of God’s own way of doing that builds on water. Our life of faith is built on the waters of Baptism, that is, not on ourselves but on who we are through Jesus Christ, by his grace. The first reading is as if Christmas season ended by bringing us back to the tones of Advent and with an even louder voice shouting: Here is your God! His face shines on that of Jesus, who also receives the baptism of John by lining up with the tax collectors and sinners to whom he will announce, in a privileged and non-exclusive way, his gospel of salvation showing them the gospel of welcome. . The Baptist does not take advantage of his ascetic ascendancy to attract to himself, but points to the Messiah who, after having lined up, was in prayer. Only now the Father can and wants to speak: You are…! With today’s feast we bring to fulfillment the days of the joy of Christmas: the child we welcomed with Mary and Joseph in the humility and provisionality of a nativity scene, that child who, wrapped in swaddling clothes, we recognized – with the shepherds – as Savior and whom – with the Magi – we adored as the light of the world… here he becomes man to the point of becoming human in everything. This great mystery does not take place in the frame of the night of Bethlehem, in which the angels dance and a new star shines, but in broad daylight: on the banks of the Jordan, in front of everyone! The profound meaning of our having been baptized into Christ to be his disciples: free and faithful is rooted in the mystery of the Baptism of the Lord.

Commentary by b. Michael David, osb Community of the Koinonia de la Visitation

Translation by f. Mark Hargreaves, Prinknash Abbey