The first reading today makes a sharp distinction between the baptism performed by John the Baptist and the baptism performed by the apostles. The distinction is helpful for our understanding and appreciation of Christian baptism.

The baptism of John the Baptist was a simple ceremony whereby a person publicly testified that he wished to repent, to change his life for the better, to abandon sin for a life of dedication to God. Christian baptism includes this reality and much more.

To begin with, the effect of the baptism by John was entirely dependent on the good will of the person. He indeed needed the grace of God to respond, but the baptism in and by itself had no power to change his life. Christian baptism has within it the power of the Holy Spirit. This power transforms us into the person of Christ. It gives us a whole new identity whereby the name Christian is given us, a name which indicates our new identity as a member of the Church, by which we become part of Christ, part of his mystical body.

A change of life is not the prerequisite for Christian baptism. Rather it is the result. It is our new identity which demands a new way of living. This new identity should also give us courage in life. Jesus says to us, "Take courage! I have overcome the world". Because of our oneness with Christ we too have overcome the world, the symbol of sin and death. Christian baptism is indeed the great fundamental event of our lives.