The Baptism of Christ: The Kingdom of God Is Here

Alexis Dallara-Marsh ponders how the Baptism of the Lord prefigures our own Baptism as a new creation in God's family.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. Let us pray. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen. 

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:9-11)

The Baptism of Christ marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry to bring others to God as Savior of the world. While Jesus himself never sinned, He receives Baptism to show His complete submission to the Father. This cleansing functions as a symbol of His identification with sinners, pointing to death and rebirth. To enter God’s kingdom, one must be born again: the Spirit reborn to new life.  

This Is My Son  

Christ overcomes death by first joining into Baptism as fully man while also fully God. 

Jesus’ Baptism reflects in it all three parts of the Trinity together: God the Father (the voice speaking from heaven), Jesus the Son (the person rising up out of the water), and the Holy Spirit (the dove, a symbol of peace and spiritual rebirth).   

The Spirit whom Jesus possessed in fullness from his conception comes to ‘rest on him’. Jesus will be the source of the Spirit for all mankind. At his baptism "the heavens were opened" – the heavens that Adam’s sin had closed – and the waters were sanctified by the descent of Jesus and the Spirit, a prelude to the new creation.  (Catechism of the Catholic Church 536) 

The sacredness of Baptism for our children  

Ten years ago, my own first son, Alexander Lloyd, was stillborn. While the heartache in and of itself of our son's departure from life was overwhelming enough, one of my immediate struggles in the hours that arose after finding out that he was gone was the question of what would happen with his not being baptized?

The sacrament of Baptism is so pinnacle to partake in as being part of God's family and His glorious kingdom. How blessed He is to allow us to extend this gift of grace to our newborn babies. God's plan is perfect and should not be questioned, but we know through our suffering, we are made whole in His presence and comfort. Baptism is a joy to behold in for those who are born with original sin, knowing that we can be washed clean with only asking God for His mercy.

As Alexander would never know sin as he had not breathed outside of His mother's womb, we were told there is no need for Baptism. Yet for our children who are subject to the trials and tribulations of this life on Earth, how forever grateful I will be that they have been able to partake in this first love of the Lord when still so innocent and new to our world. 

Christ’s sacrifice allows us as Christians to share with Him His infinite love for us. Through Baptism, we too can become a new creation, through the power of God in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

Holy Trinity, one God, pray for us. 

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Copyright 2025 Alexis Dallara-Marsh
Images: iStockPhoto.com, licensed for use by Holy Cross Family Ministries