The Baptism of the Lord

Jan 6

Processional Hymn - When John Baptized By Jordan’s River

When John baptized by Jordan’s river,
In faith and hope the people came,
That John and Jordan might deliver
Their troubled souls from sin and shame.
They came to seek a new beginning,
The human spirit’s ageless quest:
Repentance and an end of sinning,
Renouncing every wrong confessed.

There as the Lord, baptized and praying,
Rose from the stream the sinless One,
A voice was heard from Heaven saying,
“This is My own beloved Son.”
There as the Father’s word was spoken,
Not in the pow’r of wind and flame,
But of His love and peace the token,
Seen as a dove, the Spirit came.

O Son of Man, our nature sharing,
In whose obedience all are blest,
Savior, our sins and sorrows bearing,
Hear us and grant us this request:
Daily to grow, by grace defended,
Filled with the Spirit from above,
In Christ baptized, beloved, befriended,
Children of God in peace and love.

1st Reading – Isaiah 40:1-5,9-10

Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at an end, her guilt is expiated; indeed, she has received from the hand of the LORD double for all her sins.
A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the LORD!
Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!
Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low; the rugged land shall be made a plain, the rough country, a broad valley.
Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
Go up on to a high mountain, Zion, herald of glad tidings; cry out at the top of your voice, Jerusalem, herald of good news!
Fear not to cry out and say to the cities of Judah: Here is your God!
Here comes with power the Lord GOD, who rules by a strong arm; here is his reward with him, his recompense before him.
Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.

Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 104

R. O bless the LORD, my soul, O bless the LORD.

O LORD, my God, how great you are, clothed in majesty and honor, wrapped in light as with a robe!
You stretch out the heavens like a tent.
R. O bless the LORD, my soul, O bless the LORD.

On the waters you establish your dwelling.
You make the clouds your chariot; you ride on the wings of the wind.
You make the winds your messengers, flame and fire your servants.
R. O bless the LORD, my soul, O bless the LORD.

How many are your works, O LORD!
In wisdom you have made them all.
The earth is full of your creatures.
Vast and wide is the span of the sea, with its creeping things past counting, living things great and small.
R. O bless the LORD, my soul, O bless the LORD.

All of these look to you to give them their food in due season.
You give it, they gather it up; you open wide your hand, they are well filled.
R. O bless the LORD, my soul, O bless the LORD.

You take away their breath, they die, returning to the dust from which they came.
You send forth your spirit, and they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.
R. O bless the LORD, my soul, O bless the LORD.

2nd Reading – Titus 2:11-14 3:4-7

Beloved:
The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good.
When the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy.
He saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.

Gospel – Luke 3:15-16,21-22

The people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ.
John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming.
“I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove.
And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Prayer for Our Lady of Angels Parish

Heavenly Father, we thank you for gathering us together and calling us to serve as your disciples.
You have charged us through your Son, Jesus, with the great mission of evangelizing and witnessing your love to the world.
Send your Holy Spirit to guide us as we discern your will for the spiritual renewal of our parish.
Give us strength, courage, and clear vision as we use our gifts to serve you.
We entrust our parish family to the care of Mary, our mother, and ask for her intercession and guidance, as we strive to build a parish that loves God, embraces all people, and shares the Gospel joyfully.

Amen.