“It is said that humility is truth. The path that will make us more like Jesus is the path of humility.”

"Let us not be afraid to be humble, small, helpless to prove our love for God. The cup of water you give the sick, the way you lift a dying man, the way you feed a baby, the way you teach a dull child, the way you give medicine to a sufferer of leprosy, the joy with which you smile at your own at home - all this is God's love in the world today.”-- Mother Teresa

Gospel text: (MT 3:13-17)

Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan

to be baptized by him.

John tried to prevent him, saying,

“I need to be baptized by you,

and yet you are coming to me?”

Jesus said to him in reply,

“Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us

to fulfill all righteousness.”

Then he allowed him.

After Jesus was baptized,

he came up from the water and behold,

the heavens were opened for him,

and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove

and coming upon him.

And a voice came from the heavens, saying,

“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Who can fathom the depths of Jesus’ humility? Consider him in the gospel reading today, looking like just another penitent in the crowd. Out of love, the sinless One joins with sinners—with us—to show that he is truly “God with us,” even in our repentance. For the rest of His days on earth, he will continue to be one like us.

Last year, Pope Francis told a group of priests that shepherds should have “the smell of their sheep.” Jesus, mingling with the lost and needy sheep at the Jordan, shows us what that means. So never forget that whatever your “odor,” Jesus is not put off. He is, and always will be, God with you.