Bethany beyond the Jordan

John was the last prophet of the Old Testament prophets and the first prophet of the New Testament. He called the people to repent in preparation for the arrival of Christ, the Redeemer, and began to baptise in the Jordan River and the surrounding springs. The baptism he administered was a symbol of repentance and belief in God.

One of the most important testimonies of John the Baptist took place when he saw Jesus approaching him to be baptised.  He said, "Behold him who takes away the sin of the world."

It is said that Jesus was born in Bethlehem but Christianity was born in Bethany Beyond the Jordan. Jesus ministry to the public started after his Baptism.  Below are the restored remains of the Church complex where it is thought that the Baptism took place.

                           The Baptism of Jesus is in fact, the birth of Christianity itself. 

We celebrated Mass beside the river Jordan and renewed our baptismal promises - a deeply spiritual time for us all.

We were all sprinkled with water from the same river that Jesus himself was baptised in, linking our own personal faith stories with that of our Saviour.

Further along the River Jordan, we witnessed others renewing their baptismal promises.  When was the last time you renewed your baptismal promises?