Baptism and the Ministry We Share
Each year on the Sunday after Epiphany, we gather at the waters of the Jordan River to remember and celebrate the Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus comes to John not in triumph or spectacle, but quietly, standing among the crowds. John hesitates. Is this the cousin of John’s that he has been speaking about? What is going on? But when Jesus insists, he includes John: “it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” John and Jesus do this together, just as Elizabeth and Mary relied on each other while pregnant. This Baptism combines the obedience of both men with the promise of justice for all people. And so Jesus steps into the water.
This moment matters. In Matthew’s telling, Jesus’ baptism is not about washing away sin but about solidarity. Jesus chooses to enter fully into the human story, into the waters where ordinary people come seeking renewal, forgiveness, and hope. When Jesus rises from the water, the heavens are opened, the Spirit descends like a dove, and a voice speaks words of belonging to everyone assembled: “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
The Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord reminds us that before Jesus teaches, heals, or sends out disciples, he is named and claimed in love. His ministry flows from that belovedness. In the Episcopal tradition, we understand baptism in the same way, not as a spiritual achievement, but as a gift of grace that names who we already are in God’s eyes.
In baptism, we are marked as Christ’s own forever. Through water and the Holy Spirit, we are incorporated into the Body of Christ and entrusted with a shared vocation. This is where the Episcopal understanding of the Ministry of All the Baptized comes into focus. Ministry is not reserved for clergy alone. According to our theology and practice, every baptized person is called into ministry, into the work of prayer, service, witness, and reconciliation in the world.
The words of the Baptismal Covenant in the Book of Common Prayer give shape to this calling. We promise to continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to persevere in resisting evil, to proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ, to seek and serve Christ in all persons, and to strive for justice and peace while respecting the dignity of every human being. These promises are not abstract ideals; they are the lived expression of God in daily life.
Matthew’s account helps us see that baptism is not an ending, but a beginning. Jesus’ baptism marks the start of his public ministry. In the same way, our baptism sends us out, not all in the same way, but all with purpose. Some are called to visible leadership within the church as teachers, musicians, Eucharistic Ministers, pastoral visitors, or committee members. Others live out their baptismal ministry in quieter but no less holy ways: caring for neighbors, advocating for justice, listening deeply, offering hospitality, or praying faithfully for the world.
Confirmation, reception, and reaffirmation of baptismal vows are also important moments in this ongoing journey. Confirmation, in particular, is not a “graduation” from church, but an intentional claiming of the faith for oneself. It is a moment to say, “Yes, this baptismal life is mine, and I am ready to live into it more fully.” For adults and youth alike, confirmation can be a meaningful step of growth, discernment, and deeper engagement with the life of the Church.
This feast day invites us to reflect honestly: How am I living into my baptism? Where might God be inviting me to grow, to serve, or to learn something new? What waters am I being asked to step into with trust?
If you or your child have not yet been baptized, know that baptism is always an open invitation. Whether you are new to faith, returning after time away, or simply curious, baptism is a sign that God’s grace meets us where we are. If you have been baptized but are wondering about confirmation, or if you would like to explore ways to become more involved in the ministries of Trinity Church, I would be glad to have that conversation with you.
The voice that speaks over Jesus at the Jordan river still speaks today. In baptism, God names each of us as beloved, and then sends us into the world to live as signs of that love. Together, as a community shaped by water, Spirit, and promise, we are called to share in Christ’s ministry, trusting that God is already at work in and through us.
If you are listening for your next step, toward baptism, confirmation, or deeper participation in the life of this community, I invite you to reach out. Let us discern together how God may be calling you to live your baptism, for the sake of the Church and the world God so dearly loves.
Kevin+
