Illustration; The Baptism of Christ by John the Baptist, by Almeida Júnior, 1895
Leo’s homily for Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
Sistine Chapel – Sunday, January 11, 2026
Sunday Gospel for Baptism of the Lord (Matthew 3:13-17)
Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. John tried to dissuade him. ‘It is I who need baptism from you’ he said ‘and yet you come to me!’ But Jesus replied, ‘Leave it like this for the time being; it is fitting that we should, in this way, do all that righteousness demands.’ At this, John gave in to him.
As soon as Jesus was baptized he came up from the water, and suddenly the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him.
And a voice spoke from heaven, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; my favor rests on him.’
Pope Leo’s homily
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
When the Lord entered history, he approached every person with an open and humble heart.
He looks at us with love, speaking to us and revealing the Word of salvation.
As a man, the Son of God offered everyone an unexpected possibility, ushering in a new era that not even the prophets anticipated.
John the Baptist immediately realized this and asked Jesus: “It is I who need to be baptized by you, and you are coming to me?” (Mt 3:14).
Like a light in the darkness, the Lord was found where we least expected him.
He is the Holy One among sinners, who wants to dwell among us without keeping his distance. On the contrary, he takes on all that is human to the end.
Jesus replied to John, “Let it be so, for it is fitting that we fulfill all righteousness” (v. 15).
What kind of justice is this?
It is the justice of God, which accomplishes our justification through the baptism of Jesus.
Through his infinite mercy, the Father makes us righteous through Christ, the only Savior of all.
How is it done? Those baptized by John in the Jordan River make this gesture a new sign of death and resurrection, of forgiveness and communion.
Today, we celebrate this sacrament for these children because God loves them.
They are becoming Christians and our brothers and sisters.
The children, whom you are now holding in your arms, are transformed into new creatures.
Just as they received life from you, they now receive faith, the meaning to live it.
When we recognize that something is essential, we immediately seek it out for those we love.
Who among us, in fact, would leave newborns without clothes or without food, waiting for them to choose how to dress and what to eat when they grow up?
Dear friends, if food and clothing are necessary for life, then faith is even more so, because with God life finds salvation.
His providential love is manifested on earth through you, mothers and fathers who ask for faith for your children.
Of course, the day will come when they will be too heavy to hold; and the day will also come when they will be the ones to support you.
May the Sacrament of Baptism, which unites us in the one family of the Church, sanctify all your families in every age, giving strength and constancy to the affection that unites you.
The gestures that we will soon perform are beautiful examples of this.
The water of the font is the washing in the Spirit, which purifies from all sin.
The white robe is the new garment that God the Father gives us for the eternal feast of his Kingdom.
The candle lit at the Paschal candle is the light of the risen Christ, who illuminates our path.
May you continue these traditions with joy throughout the new year and your life, knowing that the Lord will always accompany you.
