Pope asks that Christ's baptism light the way for every Christian

Published: 2004-01-12

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II asked that Christ's baptism illuminate the way for every Christian and offer fresh light and strength for their journey of faith. Before praying his Sunday Angelus Jan. 11 from the window of his studio in the Apostolic Palace, the pope reminded the hundreds of people gathered below in St. Peter's Square that the day celebrated the feast of the Baptism of the Lord -- when John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan River as a symbol of repentance from sin. According to the Gospel of Luke, the pope said, the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus in the form of a dove and a voice from heaven was heard to say, "You are my beloved Son. On you my favor rests." The pope said, "This event marked the first public showing of Christ's messianic identity after the adoration of the Magi." The Magi looked upon the newborn Jesus as a messianic king, the pope said, and 30 years later at his baptism, "We see him consecrated by the Father in the Holy Spirit."

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