Gospel-Homily for The Baptism of Jesus (2026)

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Listen to Him.

I had a top hat, and I used it when I gave confirmation or at high school retreats. I would tell them, “This ridiculously looking hat is magic and when I put it on my head, I have special knowledge. Just pick someone from the group and I will know who it is.” It was very dramatic: they put a blindfold on me and walked me around the block while they chose someone from the group. All the kids were seated in a circle, and I would put on my hat and place my hands over each one’s head until I found the one the group had chosen. They were always amazed. “How did you know?” One of the chaperones was planted in the audience to assist me. I would look at the chaperone and match the kid he or she was imitating. One time, the chaperone had her arms folded, and so did every one of the kids. I was in a panic. Finally, she scratched her head, and I was able make the connection.

 I always began the retreat with the magic hat because I knew no one wanted to be there. After the hat trick, an amazing thing happened. I got their attention. They respected me and wanted to hear what I had to say for the rest of the retreat.

At the dramatic baptism of Jesus, the Father is introducing his Son to the world for the first time. No one has heard Jesus speak or seen any of his deeds. After the baptism, after this dramatic introduction, Jesus has our attention.  

Later, when Jesus brought Peter, James, and John up a high mountain, Elijah and Moses appeared. They are the two most famous Biblical names in the Old Testament. The two have a wealth of knowledge. The disciples could ask Elijah why he never died, why a chariot picked him up and brought him to heaven. They could ask Moses where he was buried, another unknown. They could ask them what it is like to be in heaven or what is the best way to keep the Ten Commandments. Yet, before a question was asked, a cloud appeared, and the Father spoke, “This is my beloved Son, listen to Him.” If you have any questions, any doubts, or need to know how to be saved, and other pertinent information, you go to Him. The Father makes it clear that there is one thing that He wants us to do: listen to Him.