Margaret’s Big Day.

At home, I have a little green book, the Rite of Baptism for Children, with all the prayers and readings for the sacrament. In the back, I scribbled on the inside cover: “Margaret F. July 1,2007. First baby baptized.” I wrote that down so I’d never forget. It was a big day for Margaret—and for me.

Of course, the biggest day for baptism is the one described in today’s Gospel. This is where it all began.

Baptism, of course, is where it begins for all of us—and it has meaning we may easily forget.

Early in the rite, the priest or deacon says, “My children, the Christian community welcomes you with great joy.” The Church celebrates this sacrament as a community—because as a community, we pray together, rejoice together, grieve together, grow together. The Christian life isn’t lived in isolation. It is shared.

At his baptism, even Jesus had company. The Gospel describes a crowd that was present when Jesus was baptized— and even notes that the Father and the Spirit (in the form of a dove) were there, too.

The deepest roots of our faith are tied to others—linked to those around us. This feast reminds us: we are part of something greater.
I’m connected to Margaret—and countless others.
But so are all of us.
We are part of something greater—and something great.
We are connected, by water and by grace.
And, like Jesus at the Jordan, we aren’t alone.

Deacon Greg Kandra. Taken from Give Us This Day.

Greg Kandra is a Roman Catholic deacon serving the Diocese of Brooklyn, New York. He is an award-winning broadcast journalist and maintains The Deacon’s Bench blog: patheos.com/blogs/deaconsbench.