Readings on the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord – B

First Reading
Is 42:1-4, 6-7 or Is 55:1-11

Behold my servant with whom I am well-pleased.

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

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.

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.

The word of the Lord.

Or:

Isaiah 55:1-11
Come to the waters: listen, that you may have life.

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

Thus says the LORD:
All you who are thirsty,
   come to the water!
You who have no money,
   come, receive grain and eat;
come, without paying and without cost,
   drink wine and milk!
Why spend your money for what is not bread;
   your wages for what fails to satisfy?
Heed me, and you shall eat well,
   you shall delight in rich fare.
Come to me heedfully,
   listen, that you may have life.
I will renew with you the everlasting covenant,
   the benefits assured to David.
As I made him a witness to the peoples,
   a leader and commander of nations,
so shall you summon a nation you knew not,
   and nations that knew you not shall run to you,
because of the LORD, your God,
   the Holy One of Israel, who has glorified you.

Seek the LORD while he may be found,
   call him while he is near.
Let the scoundrel forsake his way,
   and the wicked man his thoughts;
let him turn to the LORD for mercy;
   to our God, who is generous in forgiving.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
   nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
As high as the heavens are above the earth,
   so high are my ways above your ways
   and my thoughts above your thoughts.

For just as from the heavens
   the rain and snow come down
and do not return there
   till they have watered the earth,
   making it fertile and fruitful,
giving seed to him who sows
   and bread to him who eats,
so shall my word be
   that goes forth from my mouth;
It shall not return to me void,
   but shall do my will,
   achieving the end for which I sent it.

The word of the Lord.


Responsorial Psalm
Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13

R. :

℟. (11b) The Lord will bless his people with peace.

Give to the LORD, you sons of God,
   give to the LORD glory and praise,
Give to the LORD the glory due his name;
   adore the LORD in holy attire.

℟. The Lord will bless his people with peace.

The voice of the LORD is over the waters,
   the LORD, over vast waters.
The voice of the LORD is mighty;
   the voice of the LORD is majestic.

℟. The Lord will bless his people with peace.

The God of glory thunders,
   and in his temple all say, “Glory!”
The LORD is enthroned above the flood;
   the LORD is enthroned as king forever.

℟. The Lord will bless his people with peace.

Or: [For the Reading from Isaiah 55]

RESPONSORIAL CANTICLE

Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6

℟. (3) You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

God indeed is my savior;
   I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
   and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
   at the fountain of salvation.

℟. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
   among the nations make known his deeds,
   proclaim how exalted is his name.

℟. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Sing praise to the LORD for his achievement;
   let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exaltation, O city of Zion,
   for great in your midst
   is the Holy One of Israel!

℟. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.


Second Reading
Acts 10:34-38 or 1 Jb 5:1-9

God anointed him with the Holy Spirit.

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Peter proceeded to speak to those gathered
   in the house of Cornelius, saying:
   “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality.
Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly
   is acceptable to him.
You know the word that he sent to the Israelites
   as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all,
   what has happened all over Judea,
   beginning in Galilee after the baptism
   that John preached,
   how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
   with the Holy Spirit and power.
He went about doing good
   and healing all those oppressed by the devil,
   for God was with him.”

The word of the Lord.

Or:

1 Jn 5:1-9
The Spirit and the water and the blood.

A reading from the first Letter of Saint John

Beloved:
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God,
   and everyone who loves the Father
   loves also the one begotten by him.
In this way we know that we love the children of God
   when we love God and obey his commandments.
For the love of God is this,
   that we keep his commandments.
And his commandments are not burdensome,
   for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world.
And the victory that conquers the world is our faith.
Who indeed is the victor over the world
   but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
This is the one who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ,
   not by water alone, but by water and blood.
The Spirit is the one that testifies,
   and the Spirit is truth.
So there are three that testify,
   the Spirit, the water, and the blood,
   and the three are of one accord.
If we accept human testimony,
   the testimony of God is surely greater.
Now the testimony of God is this,
   that he has testified on behalf of his Son.

The word of the Lord.


Acclamation before the Gospel
See Mark 9:7 or Jn 1:29

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

The heavens were opened and the Father’s voice was heard:
This is my beloved Son, hear him.

℟. Alleluia, alleluia

Or: [When the alternate Readings for this year are used]:

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

John saw Jesus approaching him, and said:
Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

℟. Alleluia, alleluia


Gospel
Mk 1:7-11

You are my Beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

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.”

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.”

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

All reply:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Then he kisses the book, saying quietly:

Through the words of the Gospel


Homilies / Gospel Reflections




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