CCC 536

The baptism of Jesus is on his part the acceptance and inauguration of his mission as God's suffering Servant. He allows himself to be numbered among sinners; he is already "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world".²³² Jn 1:29; cf. Is 53:12. Already he is anticipating the "baptism" of his bloody death.²³³ Cf. Mk 10:38; Lk 12:50. Already he is coming to "fulfil all righteousness", that is, he is submitting himself entirely to his Father's will: out of love he consents to this baptism of death for the remission of our sins.²³⁴ Mt 3:15; cf. 26:39. The Father's voice responds to the Son's acceptance, proclaiming his entire delight in his Son.²³⁵ Cf. Lk 3:22; Is 42:1. The Spirit whom Jesus possessed in fullness from his conception comes to "rest on him".²³⁶ Jn 1:32-33; cf. Is 11:2. Jesus will be the source of the Spirit for all mankind. At his baptism "the heavens were opened"²³⁷ Mt 3:16. - the heavens that Adam's sin had closed - and the waters were sanctified by the descent of Jesus and the Spirit, a prelude to the new creation.