The Baptism of the Lord – Cycle C

Send us Fan MailSunday, 12 January 2025The Baptism of the Lord – Cycle C. Antiphons on p. 174 and Readings on p. 179 of the Daily Missal and p 797 of the Sunday Missal.First Reading: Isaiah 40:1-5.9-11Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 104:1b-4.24-25.27-30 (R. 1)R/. Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great!O Lord my God, how great you are, clothed in majesty and honour, wrapped in light as with a robe! You stretch out the heavens like a tent.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.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.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.You hide your face, they are dismayed; 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/. Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great!Second Reading: Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7Beloved: For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all people, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions  and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world,  awaiting our blessed hope,  the appearing of the glory  of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ,  who gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity  and to purify for himself a people of his own  who are zealous for good deeds. But when the goodness and loving kindness  of God our Saviour appeared,  he saved us,  not because of deeds done by us in righteousness,  but in virtue of his own mercy,  by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit,  which he poured out upon us richly  through Jesus Christ our Saviour,  so that we might be justified by his grace  and become heirs in hope of eternal life.The Word of the Lord.Alleluia, Alleluia. John said: He who is coming is mightier than I; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Alleluia.Gospel: Luke 3: 15-16.21-22At that time:  As the people were in expectation,  and all questioned in their hearts concerning John,  whether perhaps he were the Christ,  John answered them all,  “I baptize you with water;  but he who is mightier than I is coming,  the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie;  he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Now when all the people were baptized,  and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying,  the heaven was opened,  and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form,  as a dove,  and a voice came from heaven,  “You are my beloved Son;  with you I am well pleased.”