Fr. Russ' Homily | The Baptism of the Lord

Fr. Russ Bergman
Jan 11
3 min read

Updated: Jan 17

What unites us? Today, we all share something in common. We encounter it on our way to Church, on our way home, or anywhere we travel. It’s inescapable this time of year. I’m talking about road salt. When serving its purpose, road salt keeps us safe, but it also leaves a residue that clings and spreads. It’s a recurring struggle, but we have a remedy. That’s water. Water is beneficial, but excessive water or poor quality can lead to illness, damage, or even death. Water that is contained for our use, however, brings health and life. However, water alone can’t bring spiritual cleansing. It takes water and power.

Today we focus on the importance of water in our spiritual lives. The order of Baptism has a beautiful prayer for blessing water in the font. God first breathes on the waters at the dawn of creation. The flood brings regeneration and covenant relationship. The Red Sea parts to save the Chosen people. John baptizes Jesus in the Jordan to institute the Sacrament of Baptism. Then on the Cross, the water and blood that pour from Jesus’ side affirm our two greatest Sacraments, Baptism and the Eucharist.

When I’m celebrating the Sacrament, I like to ask everyone in attendance a question. I’ll ask you all the same questions, rhetorically. Who here remembers the date of your baptism? Don’t answer out loud or raise your hand. I’m pretty sure the response would be disappointing. Why is that? Maybe we see it as a custom, or a rite of passage, and miss the Spiritual significance. Maybe, like road salt, our culture or complacency leave a residue that soils our perspective and our soul. That’s the cumulative effect of sin. Only Baptism has the power to remove Original Sin. Over time, however, that residue, the road salt of sin, builds up. Thankfully, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is a font of healing that’s always available and never runs dry.

Baptism, in the time of Jesus, and in many post-Christian or Anti-Christian countries is a dangerous risk. Those gathered in the house of Cornelious, in most circumstances, would have nothing to do with the Jewish people. Yet, they welcome Peter, to teach them about Baptism, which was foreign to them. When God shows no partiality, it means that salvation is intended for everyone.

If Jesus was born without original sin, did he need to be baptized? Both yes and no. No, he does not need to be cleansed from sin. Yes, he needs to lead the way for everyone else. When Jesus enters the Jordan, He makes the water holy, so that through the power of the Holy Spirit, all can partake of the Sacrament by through his action and example. The havens were opened for him, and for US. When we receive the sacrament, we become members of his family, and heirs to his inheritance.

We’re all here as travelers on our spiritual journey, and the road salt of sin always surrounds and rubs off on us. We all can be as clean as the day we were reborn, our Baptism Day. But we can’t do it alone. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the grace of the Holy Spirt restores our soul to the time of our Baptism. May God help us all on our journey to travel with a clean heart and soul, thankful for the gifts of the Sacraments to help us on our way to our eternal reward. Take the time today to thank God for the incomparable gift your Baptismal day, or that gift you may be preparing to receive. Make the time to be refreshed often, to clearly see the road where God leads.