January 10
The Baptism of the Lord
First Reading
Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
Thus says the LORD:
Here is my servant whom I uphold,
my chosen one with whom I am pleased,
upon whom I have put my spirit;
he shall bring forth justice to the nations,
not crying out, not shouting,
not making his voice heard in the street.
a bruised reed he shall not break,
and a smoldering wick he shall not quench,
until he establishes justice on the earth;
the coastlands will wait for his teaching.
I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.
Responsorial Psalm
Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6
R. (3) You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
Second Reading
Acts 10:34-38
Peter proceeded to speak to those gathered in the house of Cornelius, saying: “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. You know the word that he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”
Alleluia
Cf. John 1:29
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
John saw Jesus approaching him, and said:
Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Mark 1:7-11
This is what John the Baptist proclaimed:
“One mightier than I is coming after me.
I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.
I have baptized you with water;
he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
Give a Mass Offering
Prayer for Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
“You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.”
Baptism of Jesus Stained Glass Window / Holy Cross Church, DeWitt, NY
Readings & Reflection
Today we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, which marks the end of the Christmas season. This day is so important because today we hear a definitive proclamation concerning Jesus as John baptizes him in the Jordan River. As Jesus comes up out of the water, the people see the heavens torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descended upon him. We then hear a voice from heaven proclaim, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
Put yourself in the place of an onlooker to this scene. If you had any doubt about the power of baptism, or who this Jesus person might be, you would have no doubt now! The Father has now upheld everything that John the Baptist had been proclaiming. John must have felt a sense of relief! We know that as John was baptizing and saw Jesus approaching him, he felt trepidation. He did not feel worthy to untie Jesus’s sandal straps, and now he is baptizing him.
The first reading from Isaiah tells of the servant whom is to come. This servant has been Jesus. He has been born into a cold world to bring the warmth of God, the peace of the Kingdom which is here among us but not completely and to destroy death forever so that we might be made worthy of the Kingdom of God. This Christmas we have not only looked forward to celebrating the birth of the infant but also to that second coming that will have all people and nations subject to the one true God. Let us rejoice that this Christmas has ensured us that we are worthy of that promised kingdom.
Peace,
Fr. John Kurgan
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