V/​ My eyes are turned to you, O Lord.

R/​ You are the joy and gladness of my youth.

V/​ Grant me the Wisdom that sits by your throne.

R/ That I may dwell as a child in your presence.

Let us pray. Lord, in your loving design, you have drawn me here to encounter you in your Word and, in you, to find myself. Empower me by your Wisdom, that this meditation may be a font of transformation and freedom, bearing fruit for my salvation and that of the whole Church. Amen

THE WATERS OF THE JORDAN: A PATTERN OF GRACE

By Candida Kirkpatrick, OCDS

THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD

Isaiah 42:1-7; Psalm 28(29):1-4, 9-10; Acts 10:34-38; Matthew 3:13-17

11th January 2026

Today we celebrate the Baptism of Our Lord, a moment when Jesus plunges into the depths of the earth to liberate humanity from original sin. In this act of profound humility, He empowers us with the Holy Spirit so that we might be reborn ‘by water and spirit’ as adopted children of the Father.

​Following Jesus’ immersion into the Jordan, one of the great theophanies of Scripture unfolds: the heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father’s voice declares, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Here, the Holy Trinity gathers to witness the selfless offering of the ‘spotless Lamb’ who brings justice to the nations.

​This dramatic initiation establishes a divine pattern of grace and dynamism. In an incredible act of _kenosis_ , Jesus is baptised; the Spirit rests upon Him; the Father confirms His Sonship; and He is subsequently driven into the desert before beginning His public ministry. This sequence serves as the archetype for our own spiritual life. Upon our baptism, the Spirit seals and sanctifies us, endowing us with the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love, and incorporating us into the threefold office of Christ as priest, prophet, and king.

​The Discalced Carmelite, Blessed Marie-Eugène of the Child Jesus, notes that every baptised person receives a unique personal gift—a ‘germ’ entrusted to the deepest recesses of the soul. This gift allows us to participate in the divine life of the Trinity and empowers us to journey towards God with a specific mission. He insists that we must ‘believe in our grace’ and allow it to blossom for the glory of Holy Mother Church.

​This high calling is sustained by sanctifying grace which, as Marie-Eugène describes, is “truly infused… penetrating to the inmost depths like an oil poured out or a leaven.” It is a ‘force, a power, an orientation’ moving us towards union. Living from this gift, we are invited to collaborate with the Holy Spirit, who stirs us to action and, at times, drives us into the ‘desert’ to prepare for a deeper mission. Through a dedicated prayer life, we discern this movement, progressing towards the ‘deepest centre’ of our souls.

​How beautiful it is that, in all things, Christ has gone before us. His baptism serves as the starting point for His mission and a perennial reminder of our own. As pilgrims on distinctive paths, we are all called to the fullness of divine union.

​In this season, it is fitting to ponder your own baptismal grace. What unique mission have you received? How is the Spirit moving to draw you deeper into the life of the Trinity? Consider the date of your baptism and the saints associated with your name; they are celestial companions in your specific vocation. May these graces continue to transform us towards our ultimate telos: eternal life and union with Him who is Love itself.

Prayer:

O communion of the Blessed Trinity, who reveals the mystery of our adoption through Baptism, grant us the courage to truly believe in Your grace so that we may be effective witnesses of love beyond measure. Help us to live from this deepest centre of belonging until we reach our ultimate fulfilment in You.

Ponder Questions:

1. Do you allow the Infant Christ’s gaze in the unassuming posture of goodwill for all alike and in all things?

2. To whom in your life this year are you called to be a “mirror of the Sun of Justice,” reflecting their dignity back to them through your attentive presence?

3. If “we become what we gaze upon,” how might you intentionally shift your “gaze time” from the flickering shadows of digital devices to the “Eucharistic Face of Christ” in the coming year?

Practice from insight:

Each morning this week, before engaging with any screen or task, spend three minutes in “sacred looking.” Place a crucifix or an icon of the Theotokos before you. Do not seek to “study” the image or say many words. Simply allow your eyes to rest upon the Face of Christ or His Mother, consciously activating the “mirror of your soul.” Ask for the grace to carry this contemplative gaze into every encounter you have with people throughout the day.

Memory Phrase:

To contemplate the Face of Christ, and to contemplate it with Mary, – St Pope John Paul II, Rosarium Virginis Mariae, 3.