John the Baptist, knowing that Jesus has no sin to cleanse and thus no need for baptism, is understandably reluctant to baptize Our Lord. Jesus nevertheless insists, as He desires to identify with sinners and align himself with God’s plan.
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“Baptism” means washing and John the Baptist made it a symbolic rite of moral purification. But why was Jesus baptized if He had no need for moral purification?
Most ancient writers say that by being baptized, Jesus not only wanted to be a sign of hope for the people, but wanted to sanctify the waters of baptism. Thus, because contact with Christ purifies, let us keep in touch with Him through prayer and the sacraments.
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This Third Sunday of Advent is also called “Gaudete” Sunday and there is an option of using rose as a liturgical color. Rose is a colour of joy. “Gaudete” means “Rejoice”, which is a quotation from Phil. 4:4-5: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near”.
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