Sunday, January 11, 2026

Dear bothers and sisters

The Baptism of the Lord marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry and stands as a profound moment of divine revelation. the Holy Trinity is made manifest at His baptism, the Father’s voice is heard from heaven, the Son stands in the waters, and the Holy Spirit descends upon Him in the form of a dove. This extraordinary revelation echoes the promises of the Old Testament, especially in the Psalms and the prophets, where God’s Chosen One is proclaimed as His beloved Son. In this moment, the Father publicly affirms Jesus as the Prom-ised One sent to accomplish His saving will. This heavenly declaration not only confirms Jesus’ divine identi-ty but also points toward His redemptive mission, which will reach fulfillment in His death and resurrection for the salvation of the world. The descent of the Holy Spirit empowers Jesus for His ministry and signals a new chapter in God’s relationship with humanity. The Spirit, present at creation and active throughout Israel’s history, now rests upon Jesus, identifying Him as the Anointed One who brings salvation to every generation.

By entering the waters of the Jordan, Jesus demonstrates His deep solidarity with humanity, fully embracing our human condition. In doing so, He affirms the significance of baptism and reveals that His mission is grounded in humility, compassion, and loving communion with all people. This sacred feast invites us to re-flect deeply on the meaning of our own baptism. Through the Sacrament of Baptism, we too are claimed as beloved children of God and called to live as brothers and sisters in the same family. Strengthened by the Ho-ly Spirit, baptism marks the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith, discipleship, and service. It calls us to continually renew our baptismal promises through prayer, growth, and faithful witness, following the example of Christ, our Lord. The grace we receive in baptism should be confined to an ongoing invitation to deepen our relationship with God, allow the Holy Spirit to transform our lives, and share Christ’s love with the world.

Sincerely yours in Jesus Christ and Our Lady of La Vang!

Reverend Kiet Anh Ta.