Epiphany & the Baptism of the Lord

Proclaim Peace

It might seem a little odd to end the Christmas season with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The events of the Nativity and Epiphany take place when Jesus is still an infant, but he was baptized as a thirty-year-old man. What's the connection?

For one, Christ's Baptism concludes his "hidden years," the decades between his birth and the beginning of his public ministry in which he did very little that was remarkable enough to be recorded in Scripture. In Ordinary Time, the Church will walk us through the teachings and actions of Christ during his three years of preaching, so it makes sense to commemorate his Baptism first.

But there's a deeper connection between the Nativity, Epiphany, and Baptism: the spread of the gospel to Israel and then the nations. St. Peter makes this connection in the Second Reading for the Baptism of the Lord:
“In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. You know the word that he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”
— Acts 10:34-38
The Prince of Peace came into the world at his Nativity. He began to reveal himself to the nations at his Epiphany. And at his Baptism, he began proclaiming peace to all people, beginning with the Israelites.

Our evangelical efforts are a participation in Christ's proclamation of peace with God. As we leave Christmas Time behind, let us embark upon the mission of evangelization, preaching the good news to people far and near.
Grant, O Lord, that we may begin with holy fasting this campaign of Christian service, so that, as we take up battle against spiritual evils, we may be armed with weapons of self-restraint.

This collect prayer begins the Mass for Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Jesus is calling us to "take up battle against spiritual evils." We'll explore fasting itself in a few weeks; during the week of Ash Wednesday, we're going to dig into an important set of weapons the Lord gives us to fight evil: sacramentals.

What's a sacramental? Well, if you attend Mass on Ash Wednesday, you're probably going to receive one on your forehead.

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