Daily Readings for January 11, 2015

Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord

1ST READING

The words “seek the Lord while He may be found” have struck me since the time of my conversion. The sentiment of my heart on hearing the Gospel for the first time in my life about 30 years ago was this: I need to respond to this call because the grace of God is here today and I do not know if or when there will be another opportunity like this. God’s grace is always there but our awareness of it is not always clear and complete. So let us never waste time prevaricating when we hear His call.

Isaiah 55:1-11

1 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! 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.

P S AL M

Isaiah 12: 2-3, 4, 5-6

R: 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) 4 Give thanks to the Lord, acclaim his name; among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name. (R) 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)

2ND READING

If we truly believe that Jesus is the Son of God and we believe what the Gospels tell us about Him, then why are we so reluctant to live and proclaim the truth of His love? The lingering effects of sin play a big part in it. Let us pray for the grace to put aside all sin and embrace the fullness of the truth of the Gospel such that all our doubts will be put to rest. Let us choose the path of holiness and righteousness over that of sin and suffering.

1 John 5:1-9

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 that 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.38

GOSPEL

God is already well pleased with His Son even though His ministry is yet to begin. The Incarnation sets the tone for the rest of Jesus’ life. Jesus, having been obedient to His Father in becoming a man, will continue obeying the Father’s will. Thus, we are to listen not only to the words that Jesus speaks but also the example of His life. The actions of Jesus also reveal God’s love to us. In the same way, our actions and words continue to proclaim the truth of the Gospel in our world.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

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. 11And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

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