Your Baptismal Authority:

 

                                               

The Baptism of the Lord 2026 

January 11, 2026

www.johnpredmoresj.com | predmore.blogspot.com

Isaiah 42:1-4; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-38; Matthew 3:13-17

 

Having made many trips to the Jordan River when I lived in the Kingdom of Jordan, the place where Jesus was Baptized is embedded into my memory. The location of the baptismal site is just north of the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth, by a couple miles. Jerusalem is up to the West and Moab up to the East, a river that joins two distinct nations. The land east of the Jordan is fertile, producing many fruits and vegetables. The walk to the river is hot and dry. The scent of Midnight Jasmine permeates the air, while colorful Bougainvillea, Fuchsia, Hibiscus, and Almond Flowers accentuate the landscape where the desert meets a fertile farmland. One can easily see why John the Baptist and his community inhabited the land. The river was a source of life and renewal. A new life could begin by crossing over the Jordan and having one’s sins and diseases washed away.

 

Baptism is the source of Christian life and renewal. The Church today is rediscovering that baptism is the source and authority for ministry, not ordination, but baptism. This realization means that you, the person in the pews, are empowered to take greater responsibility for service and ministry, and that you do not have to ask for permission because authority is given to you by baptism. Church is not just something that happens on Sundays. Church is best when we care pastorally for local needs. Ministry is most fulfilling when we take care of those in greatest needs. Sometimes, ministry is simply within the family, caring for one with special needs, educating and instilling virtues, being patient with someone who is learning, letting someone know that she or he is accepted and belongs. You do this so well. 

 

This past week, the Cardinals gathered in Rome to discuss collegiality and to listen to one another so they may be in greater service to the local church. The goal of this gathering is to help bishops get along better and to work as one body instead of as a common-interest power bloc. They are invited to listen meaningfully to each other and to speak for the common good, rather than for their personal objectives. They are to listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. They are to renew their promises as Cardinals to care for the souls entrusted to them. The goals of their gathering are to advise the Pope, to show the world that they are unified in ministry, to dialogue and to learn from one another, and to look at the most meaningful way for the People of God to come together for worship. The Cardinals are learning what their baptismal call means in this current age. They are learning how best to take care of you.

 

Before the 2^nd Vatican Council, Catholics were discouraged from reading the Bible because that was what Protestants did. Today, Catholic laity, you, are not only reading great quantities of spirituality and religion books, but you are writing them. You are leading book groups and faith-based discussions and are making podcasts on the internet. Many of you have taken ownership of their self-education to fill in the gaps of study that you do not get through homilies and parish missions. People want real answers to the real questions of the day, and you will be creative in finding ways to satisfy yourselves. We are in an age where people are asking for spiritual direction, to have regular spiritual conversations, and many people have responded to the call to be spiritual directors because they realize pastoral leadership is needed. Many are seeing the vacuum in their lives and realizing that we need more and are willing to step up to their responsibility.

 

It is quite encouraging that you are responding to your baptismal call and doing what is good and right for the souls around you and for yourself. You are becoming pastoral leaders because you feel called to greater service, to lead enhanced prayer programs, and to have a maturing faith. I hope that you are experiencing the same affirmation that Jesus of Nazareth received when he rose from the Jordan River, saw the promise of a new day, and heard the voice, “You are my beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” From this day forward, may you step forth with courage as you step onward and upward. Your baptism and your call to respond to the needs of the time gives you full authority.