Matthew 3:16-17
After Jesus was baptized… a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
The tagalog word for baptism – “binyag” – has acquired various usage. Initially, it would mean being baptized, by water and spirit, whether you are Born-Again Christian, Catholic, Protestant. Then it would mean, for boys, undergoing the “ritual” for manhood, which is normally done when one reach the age of 10 and up. In general, when it is your first time to do it, “ikaw ay nabinyagan” (you have been “baptized”).
Today, in the Catholic world, we celebrate the baptism of the Lord Jesus in the River Jordan, by
It then served as the beginning of Jesus' ministry, which soon overtook the ministry of John. Jesus did not really "need" baptism because He was without sin, but was baptized anyway to introduce Himself to the world, and start His ministry of salvation until His death, resurrection and ascension.
At baptism, we accept Christ as our Savior, gained his friendship, the guidance of the Spirit, and the protection of the Father, acknowledging God’s presence in our life. We have Jesus who loved us so much to die for us, we have the Father who encloses us with his arms of mercy and safety, and we have the Spirit who lives inside of us - even after 2000 years we are still baptizing in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Let us pray+
We thank you, God, for the gift of creation, the gift of life and your presence with us. Almighty Father, by your Holy Spirit save those who confess the name of Jesus Christ that sin may have no power over them. Create new life for us, from the day that we are baptized till the day that we rise in Christ. Glory to you, eternal God, the one who was, and is, and shall always be, world without end.
Amen +
The Lord takes delight in his people.
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