January 10: Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

On this Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the whole church throughout the world prays with the following scriptures:

First Reading: Isaiah 55:1-11
Isaiah refers to the servant who we come to see as the future Jesus. The servant Isaiah describes is also the chosen people, the community of faith, the People of God, the Body of Christ in whom God delights and charges with a mission to all humanity. Isaiah’s promise of water to God’s people as they desperately yearn for release from captivity in Babylon reminds them of their ancestors crossing the Red Sea 700 years earlier as they escape from Egyptian slavery. Last year, before COVID hit, 70 million refugees desperately searched for water and safety. That number has now doubled. The worst humanitarian crisis in history has us scrambling to come up with solutions. God has given us all the water we need. Policies that have permitted pollution of much of our water and the sale of pure water to the highest bidder who bottles it in nonrenewable plastic foul our planet and limit resources for the common good. Let’s pray in this new year to discern how to transform damaging policies. How will we as individuals and communities better protect God’s great gift of water?

Responsorial: Isaiah 12:2-6
We pray with our spiritual ancestors, “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.”

Second Reading: Acts of the Apostles 10:34-38
Who knew God shows no partiality? Then and now Peter had to teach Jesus’ followers this fact! Yet, the world seems full of disparity, privilege, needs, and injustices. Peter attempts to find common ground and so must we by focusing on Jesus as “Lord of all,” showing no partiality but nurturing all. God has anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power to do good and heal those oppressed by the devil. Jesus not only proclaims peace but bring peace for the common good in us and through us.

Gospel: Mark 1:7-11
Mark begins his Gospel with John the Baptist preparing Jesus’ way. Then and now, John helps people recall that we are a chosen people. Chosen – yes, but humble before God and humanity: John’s humility before Jesus is stunning. He says he is not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs on Jesus’ sandals. Jesus, like us in all ways but sin, acts in solidarity with his people. When John promises Jesus will baptize us with the Holy Spirit he is referencing Ezekiel 36:25-27. Mark describes Jesus’ baptism with language similar to Isaiah 63:19 and Isaiah 42:1-7. We are baptized into Christ to be a community of serving disciples, followers of Christ. Our purpose is to help one another love as Jesus loves. In Pope Francis’ writings and preaching, he cites ways Jesus today brings forth justice to the nations through you and me, each in our unique ways and collectively as a community of love and hope despite obstacles.