Baptism of the Lord Canvas

“In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately, as he came up from the water, he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; in you I am well pleased.” Mark 1:10-11

With his right hand, Christ blesses the waters, transforming them from waters of death into waters of life, so that every man baptized in them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit may be reborn to new life.

The dove hovered over the waters as the Spirit of God hovered over the waters of primordial chaos, a symbol of death; the dove also leaves the ark looking for a land where it can rest after the flood: this new land is Jesus, “the Lamb of God” who comes to do the will of the Father.

The tree with the axe is an image of the prophetic ministry through which the Baptist announces the call to conversion; it is the fulfillment of the Gospel word: “The axe is already laid to the root of the trees, and every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Mt 3:10).

The Angels are like deacons in the liturgical service of Baptism, ready to dry and clothe the baptized. That is why they hold in their hands the garment of Christ.