It is easy to misunderstand baptism.

Not because the Church is unclear,
but because baptism is familiar
and familiarity can dull its meaning.

Today’s feast asks us to recover its weight.

Because baptism is not a naming ceremony.
It is not a family tradition.
It is not a cultural welcome.

Something real happens.

Jesus comes to the Jordan where sinners are gathering.

People are confessing their sins,
asking for a new beginning.

And Jesus steps into that same place.

John the Baptist hesitates — rightly.

Jesus has no sin to confess.
Nothing to wash away.

So why does He insist?

Because He is not entering the water for Himself.

He is entering it for us.

From the beginning, salvation looks like this:
God does not save from a distance.
He steps into our place.

This is why we must be clear about baptism.

It is not symbolic only.
It is not simply a celebration.

In baptism:

sin is forgiven.
Not explained away — removed.

a new identity is given.
We are no longer defined only by our past.

a real belonging is created.
We are joined to Christ and to His Church.

This is not provisional.

God does not say,
“Let’s see how this goes.”

He says,
“You belong to me.”

That is why baptism matters.

Not because it is heavy,
but because it changes who a person is.

Identity is received before anything is achieved.

At the Jordan, the Father speaks before Jesus acts:

“You are my beloved Son.”

Belonging comes first.

Everything else follows.

After the Jordan, Jesus goes into the desert.

Not because something failed,
but because something began.

Once identity is claimed,
it must be lived.

Baptism does not remove struggle.
It explains it.

If we belong to Christ,
that belonging will be tested.

This is not a sign of weakness.
It is a sign that faith is real.

And yet baptism is often treated as something smaller than it is.

A photograph.
A certificate.
A moment long past.

We say,
“I was baptised,”
as though it were finished.

But baptism is not a memory.

It is a calling.

God’s claim does not expire,
even if we neglect it.

If baptism creates real belonging,
then it shapes real choices.

Truth matters.
Forgiveness matters.
Holiness matters.

Sunday Mass is not just a habit,
but a response of gratitude.

Not because God needs our presence,
but because we need to return
to the place where Christ gives Himself for us.

Belonging to Christ
cannot treat His sacrifice as optional.

Living baptism does not mean living perfectly.

Jesus was tempted.
We will be too.

Failure does not erase baptism.
Indifference does.

That is why the Church offers Confession.
That is why mercy is real.
That is why return is always possible.

Baptism begins the life.
Repentance restores it.
The Eucharist sustains it.

At the Jordan, Jesus steps into our place.

In baptism, we are claimed as His own.

Sin is forgiven.
Identity is given.
Belonging is created.

God does not say,
“Let’s see how this goes.”

He says,
“You belong to me.”

That is why baptism is serious.

Because it changes who a person is.

May we live as those who know who they belong to
and allow baptism to shape
not just a moment,
but a life.