Last Sunday of Christmas: The Baptism of the Lord
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening sentence and prayer:
Today Jesus was baptized in the Jordan; the Father recognized Him as His beloved Son; the Holy Spirit prepared Him for His mission of service. May the Lord’s Spirit of sonship and service be always with you.
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God our Father, with Jesus you call us to be your beloved sons and daughters and with Him you give us the mission to become humble and dedicated servants. Grant that we may not break those crushed by sin and sorrow. Help us to serve always the cause of right, to be eyes to the blind and a voice for the downtrodden. May we please you in all we do. We ask this in the name of Jesus our Lord.
A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 (NLT)
“Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, who pleases me. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. He will bring justice to all who have been wronged. He will not falter or lose heart until justice prevails throughout the earth. Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction.”
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“I, the Lord, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness. I will take you by the hand and guard you, and I will give you to my people, Israel, as a symbol of my covenant with them. And you will be a light to guide the nations. You will open the eyes of the blind. You will free the captives from prison, releasing those who sit in dark dungeons.”
A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10 (NLT)
Honor the Lord, you heavenly beings; honor the Lord for his glory and strength. Honor the Lord for the glory of his name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. The voice of the Lord echoes above the sea. The God of glory thunders. The Lord thunders over the mighty sea. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic.
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The voice of the Lord twists mighty oaks and strips the forests bare. In his Temple everyone shouts, “Glory!” The Lord rules over the floodwaters. The Lord reigns as king forever.
A Reading from Acts of the Apostles: Acts 10:34-38 (NLT)
Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel — that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, after John began preaching his message of baptism. And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”
A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 3:13-17 (NLT)
Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?”
But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him.
After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”
Intercessions:
Heavenly Father: You sent Jesus to live among us as a servant… to set us free… and to make us new. Lord, hear me as I pray.
+ For the Church and its leaders – that they may not seek compromises with wealth and power but serve and help the poor, the sick, and the broken-hearted. Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For all those who are baptized – that we may follow Christ and that, like Him, we may learn to serve rather than to be served. Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For Christian communities around the world – that the eucharist may strengthen in us the gifts of the Holy Spirit and make us ever more faithful to our calling as Your beloved children. Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For Christians and for all people – that the Holy Spirit may guide us to respect all who are little and defenseless, particularly the unborn; and that we may not crush them but offer them justice, mercy and grace. Lord, hear my prayer.
+ For all those who don’t know Christ or who are estranged from the Church – that the way I live out my Christian life may reveal to them the love of Christ. Lord, hear my prayer.
Lord God, You have called me to become a new creation when I was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit. Forgive me my fears and anxieties and keep on renewing me through Your Spirit – that I may have the courage to go with Christ all the way, for He is Your Son and my Lord for ever. Amen.
Spiritual Song: “Take Us to the River” – Robin Mark
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
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