Peter continues to proclaim the Good News of Christ, calling the people to repentance and baptism.
Mass Readings – Tuesday in the Octave of Easter
***************
Tag Archives: Baptism
Daily Mass: St. Peter preaches repentance and baptism. Catholic Inspiration
Baptism of the Lord: The humility of John the Baptist. Catholic Inspiration
When asked if he was the Christ, John the Baptist redirected the crowd to the coming of Jesus. His humility offers us an example about how to live our lives as we follow the Lord.
Mass Readings – Baptism of the Lord
***************
Share this:
Study, Pray, Serve: The Baptism of the Lord
Let’s take a look at some of the key themes that surface in the readings for the Baptism of the Lord. Please note that there are options for the 1st Reading, Psalm and 2nd Reading!
1st Reading – Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7
- Isaiah speaks of God’s chosen one in whom he is well pleased.
- This servant shall perform mighty deeds that bring hope and life to the people.
1st Reading – Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11
- The people hear of the one who will prepare the way of the Lord.
- The herald brings good news of comfort and tenderness which casts out fear.
Psalm 29:1-4,9-10
- “The Lord will bless his people with peace.”
- Glory and praise is given to God who reigns with might over heaven and earth.
Psalm 104:1-4,24-25,27-30
- “O bless the Lord, my soul”
- God’s majesty is praised for the goodness of all creation.
2nd Reading – Acts 10:34-38
- While in the house of Cornelius (a non-Jew) Peter teaches about Jesus.
- Peter references the baptism of John and the power of Jesus to do good deeds.
2nd Reading – Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7
- The grace of God trains us to reject godless ways and worldly desires.
- We have been saved through the “bath of rebirth” and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Gospel – Luke 3:15-16,21-22
- John testifies that one mightier than he is coming who will baptize the people with the Holy Spirit and fire.
- As Jesus is baptized, the Holy Spirit comes upon him in the form of a dove and the Father’s voice is heard from heaven.
Mass Readings – The Baptism of the Lord
***************
Share this:
The Baptism of the Lord. Catholic Inspiration
The Baptism of the Lord inspires us to claim the gift of our own baptism as we follow Christ and live the gift of life infused with faith.
Mass Readings – Baptism of the Lord
Share this:
The Baptism of the Lord
Study: Find out about your baptism. When was it? Who performed it? Who are your Godparents? Who else was present?
Pray: Thank the Lord for the gift of faith to know, love, and serve Jesus Christ.
Serve: How can you live your baptismal call today? How can your faith inspire or assist another?
Mass Readings – The Baptism of the Lord
A few years ago I was having lunch when I ran into Fr. Bob Koszarek, a retired priest from our diocese. When I asked him what brought him out for lunch he said, “I am celebrating the anniversary of my baptism.” The comment struck me, especially when he followed it up with, “Do you know the day of your baptism?”
The answer is no. Yet as I prepare for Mass this week I have made a commitment to find out. We claim (rightly so) that baptism is a crucial sacrament in the Church – the gateway to all other sacraments whereby we are configured to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Most people know if they have been baptized; my sense is that very few know the actual date.
Our faith is a precious gift – worth fighting for, worth dying for. Perhaps today we pause to recall just how precious it truly is…Jesus Christ poured out his blood on the Cross for us that we might have eternal life. His baptism was the revelation of the Trinity, where we hear the Father’s voice from heaven as the Spirit descends upon the Son in the form of a dove. Our baptism allows us to participate fully in God’s presence for the grace and guidance we need.
I invite us today to claim our baptism. Some simple steps:
- Thank the Lord for the gift of faith to know Jesus and live as a Christian disciple
- Embrace your faith through study and prayer
- Serve others in the name of Jesus Christ (and with his help and strength)
- Allow your life to bring Good News to the World
Our baptism is not a one time event. Rather, it is an ongoing expression of Christ working through us. May the Baptism of the Lord inspire us to live our faith with joy as we engage our lives with his power.
***************
***************
Note: This post was first published on January 4, 2016.
Share this:
Daily Mass: St. Peter preaches repentance. Catholic Inspiration
St. Peter exhorts the crowd to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. We hear these words in this Easter season because repentance is an ongoing part of our life in the Lord.
Mass Readings – Tuesday in the Octave of Easter
***************
Share this:
The Baptism of the Lord. Catholic Inspiration
The baptism of Jesus recalls the gift of our own baptism and how our lives are now configured to Christ. May we live this great gift as we put our faith into practice.
Mass Readings – The Baptism of the Lord
***************
Share this:
Daily Mass: Born from above, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Catholic Inspiration
Jesus speaks with Nicodemus about the Holy Spirit. We have received this Spirit in our hearts at Baptism, and the Lord gives us the strength and wisdom to make our way through this life to Heaven. Our task: to let the Spirit work in our lives!
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Easter
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Share this:
Daily Mass: Learning and sharing the Faith. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter
Philip took time to instruct the Ethiopian eunuch about the book of the prophet Isaiah, which led to his conversion and baptism. Every day we have opportunities to share our faith and help guide others so that they can grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Share this:
4th Sunday of Easter: The Lord is my shepherd
Study: Consider a time when your drifted in your convictions and faith. What helped you get back on track?
Pray: Is there something keeping you from the Lord or another person? Pray for the grace to reconcile.
Serve: Do you know others who are struggling with their faith? How can you support their journey back to God?
Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of Easter
Themes of repentance, baptism, and sheep surface this week. Take a look:
- 1st Reading – Peter exhorts the crowd to repent and be baptized
- Psalm – “The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.”
- 2nd Reading – Christ bore our sins on the Cross, for we were like straying sheep
- Gospel – The Lord is the gate for the sheep; we must pass through Him
The Scriptures speak of Jesus as both Shepherd and Gate. Why? Because like sheep sometimes we find ourselves in trouble, unprotected, abandoned, and in need of serious help. The shepherd guards and guides the sheep; entry through the gate allows the sheep to pass into a place of safety.
Our human need for help arises from our sins. While the joy of this Easter season is ringing in our hearts, we still take the time to call to mind our need for the Savior – the Good Shepherd – who offers his life for us. Indeed, it is the saving death and resurrection of Jesus that we proclaim in every Baptism, Confession, and Eucharist…sacraments that many receive in this holy season.
Knowing that the Lord has freed us from sin and death, we can honestly acknowledge our sins and joyfully offer our gratitude – running to the Lord for the grace and strength we need.
***************
Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
Three Great Things 