We have been sanctified in Christ Jesus: this is Paul’s conviction and in this way he addresses the Christians of Corinth. We are holy for the call we received in our baptism, which was conferred on us in the name of Jesus, who baptizes in the Holy Spirit, as John testifies in the waters of the Jordan. He offers his testimony after contemplating the Spirit descending and remaining on Jesus. While he manifests to Israel that the Expected has come, he also manifests and reveals what the new identity that we receive is: in Christ we are sanctified by the Spirit that we have received in baptism. However, there is something else. Comparing John’s scene with that of the other gospels, we realize that in the synoptic tradition it is the Father who bears witness to Jesus declaring him his Son; in the Fourth Gospel it is John who proclaims Jesus “Son of God”, confessing what he has seen and offering his testimony. What John does, baptism gives us to do it in our turn: we are called to witness Jesus. Even so the prophecy of Isaiah and salvation will reach the end of the earth will be fulfilled. Christ is the light of the nations, but he also wishes to be thanks to our testimony.

Commentary by Comunità di Dumenza

Translation by f. Mark Hargreaves, Prinknash Abbey