The Baptism of the Lord January 11, 2026

Our Lord joins the people who are going out to John the Baptist in a gesture of repentance, in sorrow for their sins. He joins them, not because He too is a sinner, but in order to show us that this is the only true and authentic way in which to approach our heavenly Father. Our Lord goes to the Baptist to reveal to us that at the heart of the Mystery of our salvation lies mercy, the mercy of a loving and forgiving Father. 

     Our Lord, through His act of humility and submission, calls us to share in His relationship with the Father, which is announced from the heavens. Through our reception of God's mercy, we too become His beloved sons and daughters. As Our Lord acknowledges His Father as the fount of mercy, so we too are taught never to hesitate to do the same.

     Our Lord's baptism is also a moment when He reveals His utter obedience to his Father's will for Him, and His complete acceptance of His mission to be the Suffering Servant. In a very real way, the baptism in the Jordan anticipates Our Lord's death on the Cross, when He who had no sin became sin in order to liberate us and to set us free from our many sins.  Our Lord's baptism therefore teaches us the supreme importance of fidelity to God's will, even when that is going to be difficult and painful. It teaches us too that through our own baptism we have each received a mission in life, which is ours to fulfill. The graces we received in baptism are there to help us do what God wants of us – that in our own lives we work to proclaim the Gospel and live in love for God and neighbour. It sounds so very simple, and yet we can find it so difficult to do.

     As we think of Our Lord's baptism this weekend, and of our own baptism too, let us ask the Holy Spirit to renew in us the gifts of His grace, and so help us in this year 2026 to be effective apostles of the Gospel of life and salvation Together with Fr Rafal, Deacon George, Deacon Oliver and the parish staff, I wish you and yours a blessed Christmastide and every good wish in the year to come.

Together with Fr Rafal, Deacon George, Deacon Oliver and

the parish staff, I wish you and yours a blessed Christmastide

 and every good wish in the year to come.  ~  Fr. Paul Dobson.