The baptism of Jesus by John was a pivotal moment in the life of Our Lord. It marked the beginning of his public life. Each of the gospel writers reflects a particular understanding of the experience when they report on the incident. St. Mark, for example, emphasizes the divine commission given to Jesus at the baptism. In Mark’s account, Jesus is the one who sees the dove descending, Jesus hears the heavenly voice, and the voice is directed to him: “You are my beloved son.” You get the impression that Jesus need divine encouragement, heavenly affirmation to begin his mission. While we might not provide a heavenly voice, each of us can encourage, can affirm others that they too are beloved, well pleasing to God.
