Beautiful to the deepest core

Today we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus.

- FR. ROLANDO Y. DELA ROSA, O.P.

Though sinless, Jesus willingly presented Himself for baptism to affirm His identity as the Messiah and to demonstrate that baptism is essential to becoming a faithful Christian. As He commanded His disciples at the Ascension: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19).The catechism teaches that we were born with original sin, which stains the pristine innocence of our soul. Through baptism, God grace cleanses us and disposes us toward a life of holiness. Perhaps it is from the transformative power of baptism that the saying “Cleanliness is next to godliness” takes on a deeper meaning. Baptism restores the image of God in us.