Gospel: January 12, 2025

January 12, 2025 (Sunday)

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

Psalter: Proper / (White)

Ps 104:1b-2, 3-4, 24-25, 27-28, 29-30

O bless the Lord, my soul.

1st Reading: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11

2nd Reading: Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7

Gospel: Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

The people were wondering about John’s identity, “Could he be the Messiah?” Then John answered them, “I baptize you with water, but the one who is coming will do much more: he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. As for me, I am not worthy to untie his sandal. Now, with all the people who came to be baptized, Jesus, too, was baptized. Then, while he was praying, the heavens opened: The Holy Spirit came down upon him in the bodily form of a dove, and a voice from heaven was heard, “You are my Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Lectio Divina:

“Not worthy to untie his sandal.”

Read: John the Baptist prepares the way for the Messiah, whose arrival is announced by heavenly sign and sound. As Jesus prays after baptism, he is revealed as God’s Son, the One who will save the people and renew them with the fire of the Holy Spirit.

Reflect: The identity of John the Baptist and of Jesus are clarified in today’s readings. John makes it clear that he is not the Messiah. He is the humble herald of the One who is to come, “not worthy to untie his sandal.” As Jesus is baptized, his identity as Son and Savior is confirmed by the Holy Spirit and God the Father. The Father is well pleased in his Son, who carries out his saving will. Our own identity as Christians is also tied to our Baptism and expressed in this great Sacrament. We are adopted as sons and daughters of God, as brothers and sisters of Christ and heirs to the Kingdom of God. God is well pleased with us, if we seek to do his will like, John the Baptist and Christ his Son.

Pray: Reflect upon your status as a beloved son or daughter of God and brother or sister of Christ.

Act: Find out the date of your Baptism and give thanks for such great a gift from God