As Jesus is baptized, the Father’s voice is heard from Heaven, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” May these words inspire us to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to the Lord.
Mass Readings – The Baptism of the Lord
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Let’s look at some of the main themes in the readings for the 17th Sunday of the Year.
1st Reading – Genesis 18:20-32
Psalm – 138:1-3,6-8
2nd Reading – Colossians 2:12-14
Gospel – Luke 11:1-13
Mass Readings – 17th Sunday of the Year
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Peter continues to proclaim the Good News of Christ, calling the people to repentance and baptism.
Mass Readings – Tuesday in the Octave of Easter
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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
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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
1st Reading – Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11
Psalm 29:1-4,9-10
Psalm 104:1-4,24-25,27-30
2nd Reading – Acts 10:34-38
2nd Reading – Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7
Gospel – Luke 3:15-16,21-22
Mass Readings – The Baptism of the Lord
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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
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:
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.
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Note: This post was first published on January 4, 2016.
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
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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
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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
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