Happy Solemnity of the Baptism of Our Lord. In the US celebrated on the Sunday closest to Jan. 12th.
The 1st Reading (there are 2 choices), and Gospel for The Baptism of Our Lord.
Reading 1IS 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.
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.
GospelMK 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.”
“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.”
The Baptism of Jesus closes the Christmas Season. At this point, many years have gone by and he is a grown man approximately 30 years of age.
I have a cute story from when I taught in Catholic Schools in the US missions in the 90’s when Epiphany was celebrated on Jan. 6th and Baptism on Jan. 12th.
Coming back to school after New Years, it would still be the Christmas Season and we would have a lesson on the upcoming Epiphany and then the following week have a lesson on the upcoming Baptism of the Lord. One of the students says “Wow, Jesus sure did grow up fast”!
I also like to reflect on my own Baptism at this time of year, my Christian Birthday. I was Baptized on Jan. 19 at St. Mary’s Parish in Bellevue, NE. Jan. 12th fell on a Sunday that year and I was baptized the following Sunday.
My parents and God parents brought me to church and bestowed on me the greatest gift of all, becoming a child of God and member of the Catholic community!
At almost 2 months old I don’t remember my baptism, and yet I have the privilege of reliving it each year on this day and at Easter, and each time I witness the baptism of a new member of The Family of God!
We remember to keep in prayer all who are preparing for his/her baptism this upcoming Holy Saturday and through out the year!