Or Isaiah 55:1-11 Thus says the LORD: 1 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!
2 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.
3 Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life. I will renew with you the everlasting covenant, the benefits assured to David.
4 As I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of nations,
5 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.
6 Seek the LORD while he may be found, call him while he is near.
7 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.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
9 As high as the heavens are above the earth so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.
10 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 the one who sows and bread to the one who eats,
11 so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; my word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.
Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10 R. (11b) The Lord will bless his people with peace.
1 Give to the LORD, you sons of God, give to the LORD glory and praise, 2 Give to the LORD the glory due his name; adore the LORD in holy attire. R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.
3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters, the LORD, over vast waters. 4 The voice of the LORD is mighty; the voice of the LORD is majestic. R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.
3B The God of glory thunders, 9C and in his temple all say, “Glory!” 10 The LORD is enthroned above the flood; the LORD is enthroned as king forever. R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.
R. (3) You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
2 God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. 3 With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation. R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
4BCD Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name; among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name. R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
5 Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement; let this be known throughout all the earth. 6 Shout with exultation, O city of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel! R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
2nd Reading –
1 John 5:1-9 Beloved: 1 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.
2 In this way we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments.
3 For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome,
4 for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith.
5 Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
6 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 who testifies, and the Spirit is truth.
7 So there are three that testify,
8 the Spirit, the water, and the blood, and the three are of one accord.
9 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.
Alleluia – CF. John 1:29 R. Alleluia, alleluia. John saw Jesus approaching him, and said: Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel – Mark 1:7-11 7 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.
8 I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
9 It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John.
10 On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.
11 And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
WORD OF THE LORD
WORDS OF THE HOLY FATHER This Feast of the Baptism of Jesus reminds us of our own Baptism. We too were reborn in Baptism. In Baptism the Holy Spirit came down to remain within us. This is why it is important to know the date of our Baptism. We know our date of birth, but we do not always know the date of our Baptism. And celebrate the date of your Baptism in your heart, every year. (Angelus 12 January 2020)
FAUSTI - "YOU ARE MY SON, THE DILECT," says the Father to Jesus, who was immersed in the Jordan, drowned in the sin of the crowds who flocked to the Baptist's preaching. God has had all eternity to ponder. Yet in order to present Himself to us and save us, He has found no other way than this scandalous one: to line up with sinners. Jesus reveals Himself as the Son by going with the brothers most in need: and the Father solemnly approves Him. Baptism represents the fundamental choice of Jesus: solidarity. Knowing the Love of the Father, He manifests it to all through fraternity. Baptism is the gateway to the Gospel. Those who do not pass through here remain trapped in their religious expectations and do not know God and His Gift. The Baptist has just told us about the One who will Baptize in the Holy Spirit. But He, surprising everyone, gets Himself Baptized in water. and just like that He will give us His Spirit. No one would ever have thought that the Lord would immerse Himself to the depths of our humanity, and give us His Life by taking our death in return. He loves us and desires to join us. Since we could not ascend to Him, He descended to us. In solidarity with us in everything, so that we might become God, in solidarity with Him in everything. His humanity is the principle of our divinization. In this way Jesus begins His ministry. Instead of great programmatic speeches, He makes a real action, making a choice and assuming a style that will guide His whole life. Baptism has a passionate character, it reveals to us God's Passion for us that becomes Com-passion and never abandons us. Baptism is like a seed that already contains the great Tree of the Kingdom, the Cross. It is a very accurate miniature, chiseling out those features of the Son, of those which the continuation of the Gospel will be like an enlargement. Who would have thought a God in line with sinners, humble and in solidarity with us? It is the most powerful image of a God Whom no one has ever seen, and Who now shows us His true Face. Love, in fact, empties itself and gives everything, even to the point of giving itself. The Gospel narration highlights the two titles of Jesus that correspond to the two parts of the Gospel: He is the Christ, because He is full of the Holy Spirit, and He is the Son of God who gives His Life for His brothers and sisters. The Disciple, baptized in His own baptism, receives His Same Spirit of Son that makes him a brother to all.
Or Isaiah 55:1-11
RispondiEliminaThus says the LORD:
1 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!
2 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.
3 Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life. I will renew with you the everlasting covenant, the benefits assured to David.
4 As I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of nations,
5 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.
6 Seek the LORD while he may be found, call him while he is near.
7 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.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
9 As high as the heavens are above the earth so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.
10 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 the one who sows and bread to the one who eats,
11 so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; my word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.
Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10
R. (11b) The Lord will bless his people with peace.
1 Give to the LORD, you sons of God,
give to the LORD glory and praise,
2 Give to the LORD the glory due his name;
adore the LORD in holy attire.
R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.
3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters,
the LORD, over vast waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is mighty;
the voice of the LORD is majestic.
R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.
3B The God of glory thunders,
9C and in his temple all say, “Glory!”
10 The LORD is enthroned above the flood;
the LORD is enthroned as king forever.
R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.
R. (3) You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
2 God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
3 With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
4BCD Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
5 Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
6 Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
2nd Reading –
1 John 5:1-9
Beloved:
1 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.
2 In this way we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments.
3 For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome,
4 for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith.
5 Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
6 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 who testifies, and the Spirit is truth.
7 So there are three that testify,
8 the Spirit, the water, and the blood, and the three are of one accord.
9 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.
Alleluia – CF. John 1:29
RispondiEliminaR. Alleluia, alleluia.
John saw Jesus approaching him, and said:
Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel – Mark 1:7-11
7 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.
8 I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
9 It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John.
10 On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.
11 And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
WORD OF THE LORD
WORDS OF THE HOLY FATHER
This Feast of the Baptism of Jesus reminds us of our own Baptism. We too were reborn in Baptism. In Baptism the Holy Spirit came down to remain within us. This is why it is important to know the date of our Baptism. We know our date of birth, but we do not always know the date of our Baptism. And celebrate the date of your Baptism in your heart, every year. (Angelus 12 January 2020)
FAUSTI - "YOU ARE MY SON, THE DILECT," says the Father to Jesus, who was immersed in the Jordan, drowned in the sin of the crowds who flocked to the Baptist's preaching.
RispondiEliminaGod has had all eternity to ponder. Yet in order to present Himself to us and save us, He has found no other way than this scandalous one: to line up with sinners.
Jesus reveals Himself as the Son by going with the brothers most in need: and the Father solemnly approves Him.
Baptism represents the fundamental choice of Jesus: solidarity.
Knowing the Love of the Father, He manifests it to all through fraternity.
Baptism is the gateway to the Gospel. Those who do not pass through here remain trapped in their religious expectations and do not know God and His Gift.
The Baptist has just told us about the One who will Baptize in the Holy Spirit. But He, surprising everyone, gets Himself Baptized in water. and just like that He will give us His Spirit.
No one would ever have thought that the Lord would immerse Himself to the depths of our humanity, and give us His Life by taking our death in return.
He loves us and desires to join us. Since we could not ascend to Him, He descended to us.
In solidarity with us in everything, so that we might become God, in solidarity with Him in everything.
His humanity is the principle of our divinization.
In this way Jesus begins His ministry. Instead of great programmatic speeches, He makes a real action, making a choice and assuming a style that will guide His whole life.
Baptism has a passionate character, it reveals to us God's Passion for us that becomes Com-passion and never abandons us. Baptism is like a seed that already contains the great Tree of the Kingdom, the Cross.
It is a very accurate miniature, chiseling out those features of the Son, of those which the continuation of the Gospel will be like an enlargement. Who would have thought a God in line with sinners, humble and in solidarity with us? It is the most powerful image of a God Whom no one has ever seen, and Who now shows us His true Face.
Love, in fact, empties itself and gives everything, even to the point of giving itself.
The Gospel narration highlights the two titles of Jesus that correspond to the two parts of the Gospel: He is the Christ, because He is full of the Holy Spirit, and He is the Son of God who gives His Life for His brothers and sisters.
The Disciple, baptized in His own baptism, receives His Same Spirit of Son that makes him a brother to all.