Mary and Jesus’ Baptism

Mary may not have been present at Jesus’ baptism, but her whole life was tied to the richly symbolic meaning of this event.

Pope Saint John Paul II made the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan the first luminous mystery of the Rosary. Indeed, the Jordan River played a symbolic role as it formed the border to the Promised Land, the land of Canaan (Joshua 6). To immerse oneself in the Jordan is to symbolically repeat the whole spiritual journey of Israel: heading God’s call, leaving Egypt, going to Mount Sinai, walking through the desert, and receiving the daily manna.

Mary personally made this spiritual journey. She knew that she was loved by God, who looked after her (Lk 1:48). She knew that she was chosen by God who made a covenant with her. There is a parallel between the Annunciation and the Covenant at Sinai. Mary set out on her journey trusting God.

At the baptism of Christ the Holy Spirit is represented by a dove (Mt 3:16; Mk 1:10; Lk 3:22; Jn 1:32): this too must be interpreted within the biblical background. The dove is an image of Israel, of whom the Lord is the bridegroom. This image designates the people, a people to be built, saved, and gathered into a New Covenant. In the same way, the Holy Spirit descending (like a dove) at the Annunciation signifies a Covenant, and the Incarnation the wedding of God with humanity. The dove is also an animal of sacrifice announcing the offering of Christ. 

The two turtledoves offered at the Presentation: We have shown that Mary and Joseph had each made a personal sacrifice beyond what the law prescribed. When they presented Jesus to the Temple, their action may have represented an offering for the entire Jewish people, "for their purification" (Lk 2:22).

The revelation of the Son: At the Jordan, the heavenly voice said that Jesus is the Son of the Father... But Mary had known this mystery since the time of the Annunciation.

An announce of the Passion: Finally, what Jesus did through his Baptism announced his Passion on behalf of sinners, and Mary was with him on Mount Calvary...

Françoise Breynaert  

Excerpts from À l'écoute de Marie, volume I, p. 131-133

Adapted from: Library of Marian Writings