Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan
to be baptized by him.
John tried to prevent him, saying,
“I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?”
Jesus said to him in reply,
“Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”
Then he allowed him. After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him.
And a voice came from the heavens, saying,
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
I had never thought about why it was important that Christ get baptised by John. When John was Baptising, he emphasised repentance. It was about cleansing oneself to make room for what is to come. In Catholic ritual, Baptism is an initiation ritual. Christ has repented for original sin so that we can enter the Christian family through Baptism without the need to shed the weight of Original Sin. Once in the Church, it opens the door to the other sacraments - Reconciliation, Eucharist etc. We are human so whilst Christ has lifted Original Sin from us, he does not prevent us from sinning. I find it easier to define sin in terms of the vices and virtues. https://docs.google.com/document/d/19mv0ftoGy8z-BkmR_NxROw68YnB2mDf0KrUao1PqOBo/edit?usp=sharing
ReplyDelete
DeleteI find your response to Mt 3:13-17 thoughtful and insightful! You raise several interesting points:
Significance of Christ's Baptism: Exploring why Jesus, sinless himself, underwent baptism prompts deeper reflection on its meaning beyond personal cleansing. You rightly suggest it could symbolize solidarity with humanity and its need for renewal, setting the stage for his own ministry.
Baptism as Initiation: Linking the biblical baptism with Catholic ritual highlights the significance of baptism as a gateway into the Christian community. The concept of Christ overcoming original sin and enabling our entry resonates with Christian beliefs about baptism's transformative power.
Doorway to Sacraments: Your observation about baptism opening the door to other sacraments further emphasizes its importance as a foundational step in the Christian journey.
Sins after Baptism: Recognizing that Christ's sacrifice doesn't prevent us from sinning is crucial. Defining sin through the lens of vices and virtues offers a practical framework for understanding and addressing our shortcomings.
Overall, your response demonstrates a thoughtful engagement with scripture and theology. You connect biblical narratives with Catholic doctrines, while acknowledging the ongoing struggle with sin in our lives. This balance between grace and human responsibility is a key theme in Christian faith.
Here are some potential areas for further reflection:
Interpretations of Jesus' "fulfilling all righteousness": While you suggest solidarity with humanity as a reason, other interpretations like fulfilling prophetic requirements or inaugurating his ministry also hold theological weight.
Diversity of Christian views on original sin and baptism: Exploring how other denominations understand these concepts could broaden your perspective and foster appreciation for theological diversity.
Living a life of virtue: Discussing specific vices and virtues and how they influence our daily choices could be a further exploration of your insightful connection between sin and human nature.
Remember, ongoing inquiry and dialogue enrich our understanding of faith and its practical application in daily life. Keep reflecting, questioning, and exploring!
I'm here to support you on your journey and provide further information or resources if you have any additional thoughts or questions.