Originally published at The Catholic Thing
Jesus began his public ministry at the lowest place on earth so we may ascend to the Father. His baptism took place in the Jordan River, in a valley east of Jerusalem, just north of the Dead Sea and not far from the ancient city of Jericho. The Dead Sea sits some 1,400 feet below sea level. The story of the Incarnation is one of descent; God lowers himself to become one like us, to walk alongside us, to draw close to us so that we can walk alongside him back to the Father.
