THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD ➡️ Feasts, Solemnities, and Liturgical Seasons While John was still preaching repentance and baptising his followers, Jesus Himself came to him one day to be baptised. St Matthew tells us that John was reluctant to do so. ‘It is I,’ he said, ‘who ought to be baptised by you, and dost thou come to me?’ (Matthew 3:14). Jesus insisted, ‘Let it be so now, for so it becomes us to fulfil all justice’ (Matthew 3:15). When Jesus had been baptised the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in the form of a dove and the voice of God the Father came from heaven, ‘Thou art my beloved son, in thee I am well pleased’ (Luke 3:22). A VERY SIGNIFICANT MOMENT This is a significant moment in the history of Jesus. It is clear from the words of John that Jesus had no personal need to receive the baptism of John. Certainly His desire to be baptised by John could be taken as a manifestation of His intention, as a pious Israelite, to dedicate Himself wholly to the ...