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Prepared by:Richard G. Pazcoguin

UST Institute of Religion

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In the Filipino context, we understand the word binyag on different levels.

First, we understand binyag as a Sacrament, a ritual that is performedusually on infants. Filipinos give high regard to this ceremony, perhaps notmuch on its religious significance but on its celebration aspect. Hence,there are some who postpone the baptism of their children until such timethat they have enough money to throw a big banquet.

Second, Filipinos understand binyag as initiation. When we see someonewith a new pair of shoes, binibinyagan natin. Even circumcision, which is aboys initiation to manhood is called binyag, and sacrilegeous as it is,even a persons first sexual encounter is called binyag.

How do we redeem the real significance of binyag in human life? Perhaps

we have to look back to the story of our Lords own baptism.

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In the Old Testament, the chosenpeople had to cross the Jordan Riverfor them to enter the promised land.

Baptism is like crossing the JordanRiver. Through the baptism ofrepentance preached by John theBaptist, one crosses from a life of sininto a new life of grace.

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John the Baptist was known as the Lords

forerunner or precursor. His mission was toprepare the way of the Lord, that is to makethe people ready for the coming of Jesus bycalling them to repentance.

Always mistaken as the promised messiah,

John would always speak about the coming ofSomeone greater who will baptize with Spiritand with fire.

He must increase while I decrease. John theBaptist is an example of a person who knew

well his role in the history of salvation.

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One day Jesus came from Nazarethin Galilee, and he was baptized byJohn in the Jordan River. And whenJesus came up out of the water, hesaw the heavens split open and theHoly Spirit descending like a doveon him. And a voice came from

heaven saying, You are my Son, thebeloved, and I am fully pleased with

you.

Mark 1:9-11

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Though he had not sinned, and thereforehas no need to undergo a baptism ofrepentance, Jesus was the NEW ADAM.This New Man, through his baptism,ushered humanity into entering a life ofgrace.

Baptism was an INITIATION RITUAL. TheBaptism of Jesus signaled the beginningof His public ministry.

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During the Baptism of Jesus, theFather revealed Jesus as:

MY SON

THE BELOVED

IN WHOM THE FATHER ISWELL PLEASED

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This part of the Fathers declaration echoes

Psalm 2:7: You are my Son, this day Ihave begotten you.

Psalm 2 is known as the EnthronementHymn which is sung during the kings

coronation. Obviously, the Son beingreferred to in the psalm is the king himself.

Being declared as the Son, Jesus is beingpresented as the Messianic king awaited

by the people of Israel.

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In the Old Testament, the title Son ofGod was used on the King of Israel, onangels, and even on Israel.

But unlike other sons of God, Jesus is

The Beloved Son, emphasizing Hisspecial relationship with the HeavenlyFather. It is only Jesus Christ who isbegotten of the Father.

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Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. Heis my chosen one, and I am pleased withhim. I have put my Spirit upon him. Isaiah42:1

The person on whom God is pleased is theSuffering Servant depicted in the book of

Isaiah.

The Fathers declaration that he is wellpleased with Jesus affirms that while Jesusis the messianic king, he is also the

Suffering Servant.

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JORDAN RIVERCrossing the river Jordan, theIsraelites were able to enter the promised land. Crossingthe waters of Baptism, we gain access to our truehomeland.

THE BLESSED TRINITYIn the baptism of Jesus, wesee the presence of the Blessed Trinity. The Fathers voiceis heard, the Son is revealed, the Holy Spirit descendsupon the Son. When we are baptized, we are baptized inthe Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, andthus we are consecrated to the Blessed Trinity.

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DESCENT OF THE SPIRIT-Just as theHoly Spirit descended upon Jesus on his

baptism, thus anointing him, in ourbaptism the Spirit descended, filled us withSanctifying Grace, and anointed us withthe same anointing of Jesus as priest,prophet, and king.

YOU ARE MY SONJust as Christ wasdeclared as the Fathers Son during hisbaptism, so did we become children of Godthe moment we were baptized.

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Raymond E. Brown

AN INTRODUCTION TO NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTOLOGYNJ: Paulist Press, 1994

Asst. Prof. Dionisia Roman

THE THEOLOGY OF THE CROSS IN MARKS GOSPELNARRATIVE

Unpublished Masteral Thesis, Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University, 1994

Fr. Luc Colla, CICM

THE AMAZING STORY OF JESUS OF NAZARETHBaguio City: St. Louis University, 1984