The Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul offers us tremendous hope that God can touch even the hardest heart and bring about a life-giving transformation.
As Jesus is baptized in the Jordan River, the Holy Trinity is revealed in full glory, calling forth our response to reject what is evil and follow the Lord with all our heart.
Let’s explore the themes we find in the Mass readings for the Baptism of the Lord.
1st Reading – Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7
The chosen servant has received the spirit of God and will bring forth justice.
The servant will establish a covenant with the people and bring light and healing to the nations.
Psalm – 29:1-4,9-10
“The Lord will bless his people with peace.”
We give glory and praise to God, who is enthroned as king forever.
2nd Reading – Acts of the Apostles 10:34-38
Peter speaks to the people in the house of Cornelius, saying that God shows no partiality.
He then recounts the basic facts about Jesus, inviting the people to fear God and act uprightly.
Gospel – Luke 3:15-16,21-22
John the Baptist denies that he is the Christ; rather, he states that a mightier one is coming.
As Jesus is baptized, the Holy Spirit descends upon him in the form of a dove, and the voice of the Father proclaims, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
On their journey to Bethlehem, the Magi encountered the newborn King and were forever changed through the process of receiving and revealing the light of Christ.
The massacre of the holy innocents demands that we acknowledge when atrocities occur, we call upon the Lord Jesus who meets us in these horrors and redeems them through his death and resurrection on the Cross.
The example of John, the beloved disciple who wrote both a Gospel and three letters, inspires us to share our faith with others through the experiences we have seen and heard.
Three Great Things 