A Homily on Matthew 3:13–17 : The Baptism of our Lord Jesus ( 11-1-26)

A heart-touching reflection on Matthew 3:13–17, inviting us to rediscover our baptism and live as God’s beloved children. (11-1-26)

Praise be to Jesus Christ

Recently, I saw a short video shared on WhatsApp. It showed a small sparrow’s nest on a low bush, with tiny chicks inside, still unable to fly. Suddenly a cobra appeared from the grass and slowly moved towards the nest. The sparrow noticed it at once and became restless, flying around the nest with sharp cries. She clearly understood the danger, yet she did not escape. Instead, she began to attack the cobra again and again, striking its head with her wings and beak. The snake turned and tried to frighten her, but each time she returned, protecting the nest with a courage that seemed impossible for such a small bird. After some time, disturbed by her fearless defence, the cobra moved away into the grass. The sparrow then returned quietly to the nest and gently covered her chicks with her wings. She fought because those chicks were her beloved, and love made her stronger than fear.

Today’s Gospel from Matthew 3:13 to 17 reveals a love even deeper and more faithful than this. Jesus comes to the Jordan to be baptised, not as a powerful master, but as one who stands among ordinary people. He steps into the water in humility, identifying himself with sinners. When he comes out of the water, the heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father’s voice is heard saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Let us remain with that one word, beloved, because it carries the heart of today’s feast.

God does not speak these words after Jesus performs miracles or teaches the crowds. He speaks them at the very beginning. Jesus is beloved not because of what he has done, but because of who he is. His identity as Son comes before his mission. His relationship with the Father comes before his work for the world. This order is very important for our faith and for our daily life.

Through baptism, the same loving word is spoken over each one of us. It may not be heard by our ears, but it is truly spoken into our life. You are my beloved child. Saint Paul reminds us of this truth when he says that we have received the Spirit of adoption, by which we cry, “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15). This is why Jesus teaches us to pray “Our Father” (Matthew 6:9). Only those who know they are children can pray like that with trust. Baptism makes us children of God and gives us a new way of living, not from fear but from belonging.

This is not a new idea. In the Old Testament, God speaks to Israel with the same tenderness. Through the prophet Isaiah, God says, “I have called you by name, you are mine… you are precious in my eyes, and I love you” (Isaiah 43:1, 4). Even when Israel failed and turned away, God did not withdraw his love. At the Jordan, that faithful love rests fully on Jesus, and through Jesus it reaches each one of us.

Pope Francis once reminded the faithful that every Christian should remember the date of baptism and thank God for the gift of faith (Angelus address on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, 7 January 2024). Many of us remember our birthday, but we forget the day when God claimed us as his own. Baptism is not only an event from the past. It is a living truth that shapes how we think, how we pray, and how we face life each day.

This truth has a strong meaning for our family life. Parents sometimes correct children harshly, forgetting that the child before them is God’s beloved. Children grow up hearing many voices from society and the world telling them who they should be and what they are worth, and slowly they begin to believe those voices more than God’s. Even adults often live worried about what others say and think, losing the peace that comes from knowing they are loved by God.

Today’s Gospel invites us to listen again to the voice that truly matters. Like the sparrow that did not run away because her chicks were her beloved, God does not abandon us. Jesus himself reminds us that not even a sparrow is forgotten before God (Luke 12:6). His love surrounds us and protects us. When we remember that we are beloved, prayer becomes simple, forgiveness becomes possible, and courage quietly grows in the heart. Let us live as God’s children, worrying less about what others say and holding firmly to what God has already said over us at baptism. You are my beloved.

Jesus, make me fully aware that I am your beloved. Amen.

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