Baptism of the Lord

Baptism of the Lord (Español) (Vietnamese)

Our commentary this week is provided by Auxiliary Bishop John Dolan of the Diocese of San Diego. For a PDF version, visit http://www.christ-ion.com

Prayer

Loving Father,

as we conclude this Season of Christmas, may we celebrate

the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ who invites us to a

new birth in him through water and the Holy Spirit. We ask

this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives

and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God forever

and ever. Amen.\

1st Reading: Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7

The Feast of the Epiphany (celebrated

earlier) is a prayerful study of the Lord who

has been revealed to us. In many ways, the

Baptism of the Lord is a continuation of this same

revelation.

In this reading from Isaiah, there is no doubt that the one

who is to come will be a light for all people. Speaking for

God, Isaiah say, “Here is my servant whom I uphold, my

chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have

put my spirit.

The connection between this reading and the Gospel is

clear. Jesus, baptized in the Jordan, is the servant and son

in who God’s favor rests.

It is Jesus who will be the fulfillment of this promise. He

himself, and those who are baptized in His name, will be

the light for all nations (Jews and Gentiles alike).

Questions

In what way are you a light for the nations? How are you

sharing the light of Christ in your neighborhood?

2nd Reading: Acts 10:34-38

The early Church struggled with the idea that the Gospel

of Jesus Christ could be shared beyond the people of

Israel.

Certainly, Saint Paul was the primary apostle to the

gentile nation. Here, however, we see

Saint Peter sharing the same good news

that “God shows no partiality. Rather, in

every nation whoever fears him and acts

uprightly is acceptable to him.”

Most Christians are blood descendants of

gentile nations and have benefited from

the proclamation of the Gospel.

Regardless of blood, our identity as

Christian comes from our faith in Jesus and in our

baptism, where we are born again.

Question

What does it mean for you to be born again by water and

the Holy Spirit?

Gospel: Mark 1:7-11

There is only one Savior of the World. He would not be

one among the many “christs” (the word means king)

who have come and gone. He would be unique. He

would be unlike any other.

Even as great as John the Baptist

was to the people who followed him

to the Jordan, he says to Jesus, ” I

need to be baptized by you, and yet

you are coming to me?”

The true King is Jesus the Christ

who is baptized by John at the

Jordan. Revealed as God’s “beloved

Son” in whom God is “well pleased,”

the Holy Spirit rests upon Him

alone.

Mention need only be made that our

Baptism is not the same as Christ’s.

His Baptism is a theophany (a

revelation) of His true nature. He is

fully God (divine) and fully human.

Our Baptism celebrates the gift of sharing in His Divine

nature through the grace of water and the Holy Spirit.

Question

What does your Baptism mean for you?

Task for the Week

The Sacrament of Baptism is often called “The door of

the Church,” because it is the first of the seven sacraments

not only in time (since most Catholics receive it as

infants) but in priority, since the reception of the other

sacraments depends on it. It is the first of the three

Sacraments of Initiation, the other two being the

Sacrament of Confirmation and the Sacrament of Holy

Communion.

If you, or someone you know, has not been baptized,

contact your parish and speak to a deacon, priest, or lay

minister who will be happy to offer you assistance.

The group sings or says the following:

I heard the voice of Jesus say,

“Behold, I freely give

The living water; thirsty one,

stoop down, and drink, and live.”

I came to Jesus, and I drank

of that life giving stream;

My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,

and now I live in Him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,

“I am this dark world’s Light;

Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise,

and all thy day be bright.”

I looked to Jesus, and I found

in Him my Star, my Sun;

And in that light of life I’ll walk,

till traveling days are done.

The Prayer continues with Psalm 29

Response: The Lord will bless his people with peace.

Give to the LORD, you sons of God,

give to the LORD glory and praise,

Give to the LORD the glory due his name;

adore the LORD in holy attire.

R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.

The voice of the LORD is over the waters,

the LORD, over vast waters.

The voice of the LORD is mighty;

the voice of the LORD is majestic.

R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.

The God of glory thunders,

and in his temple all say, “Glory!”

The LORD is enthroned above the flood;

the LORD is enthroned as king forever.

R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.

Conclude with an Our Father