Mass - Baptism of the Lord - Year C - Sunday, 12 January 2025
Readings for Sunday 12th January 2025 - The Baptism of the Lord. Year C. (first Sunday of Ordinary Time)
FIRST READING: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11
Psalm 104:1b-2, 3-4, 24-25, 27+28, 29-30. "Oh, bless the Lord, my soul!"
SECOND READING: Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. Luke 3:16). Alleluia, alleluia! John said: He who is to come is mightier than I. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
GOSPEL: Luke 3:15-16, 21-22
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers and homily), for The Baptism of the Lord. Year C. (first Sunday of Ordinary Time) - Sunday 12th January 2025, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-the-3/s-3dnlQQmCyk1 (EPISODE: 513)
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In Luke's Gospel, the voice of the Father is heard not when Jesus was being Baptised or even when he was arising from the waters, but afterwards, when Jesus is praying.
In fact, in Luke's Gospel, this happens at key moments when the true identity of Christ is revealed, that Jesus is shown to be praying!
We witness it here in today's Gospel, as he prays after his baptism and again at the Transfiguration, and later, even the Apostles, too, receive the Holy Spirit when gathered in prayer at Pentecost.
In prayer, Christ's identity is revealed as the Father's beloved son. For us, his disciples, prayer renews and connects us to God, is an affirmation (and renewal) of our baptismal identity (as children of God), and strengthens us to undertake our ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit.^
One Scripture commentator says that in relation to this Gospel today, "We are told that God rends the heavens to lavish praise on his son— a son who, up to that point, had yet to accomplish much of anything." It must have been indescribably affirming and motivating for Jesus as he was about to begin his most challenging and self-emptying ministry.
Of course, Jesus is God, and he was also fully human. As a human he was as much in need of encouragement, affirmation and strength from his beloved Father in heaven. This Father also is the father of all things…..
Jesus was now officially commissioned in his earthly ministry (by none less than God the Heavenly Father)/ Commissioned for this incredibly difficult ministry, and Our Lord was absolutely assured of the love and confidence of his Father….and could begin his ministry confident that the Father was completely pleased with him and 100% behind what he was doing." (Patrice J. Tuohy).
It is a timely reminder that sincere and constructive affirmation and encouragement are essential human needs. We live in a culture where it seems easier to voice criticisms. For far too many people, if they are not happy with something, criticism occurs swiftly, but if they are not unhappy with something, it is not so much praise that follows but rather deafening silence. We live in a world where there is too often either criticism or silence. People who live without affirmation or who live with constant criticism, they can easily get the message that nothing they do is ever going to be good enough. However, there is a difference between true affirmation and mere compliments. A compliment can be a pleasant thing to say (sometimes a compliment is not even remotely accurate, but it is something nice that another person might say, just to be 'pleasant'). In contrast, a true affirmation actually confirms the truth as seen and experienced by another. Affirmation and constructive criticism is far better than untrue compliments and a world away from undermining negativity.
False praise is also very unhelpful. A person who relies on praise that is not based in reality is misled and denied the chance to hone their skills. The person can be quite deceived about how they are really doing or how they may actually be affecting others; for the better or worse. And then there are those who get good, positive feedback and affirmation. This is priceless and truly affirming. Even when setbacks and the occasional mistake or failure come their way, the person who has healthy feedback and honest affirmation and information, can develop resilience, and is not defeated, because they have firm foundations for their belief in their abilities and their inner value and the strength of their own worth. A person who receives this constructive affirmation and even constructive and sensitive criticism will persevere through many struggles and challenges to increase in excellence.
Our Baptism is intended to be a formal and real adoption into God's family and a true affirmation of our dignity as beloved children of God. God thirsts to give this to each and every person in the world for they are all his cherished children. Baptism has a real, permanent and practical effect on our lives. Our baptism, echoing Jesus' action in the Jordan, is a huge "Yes" by us and even more importantly - it follows a profound YES by God towards us. We are saying "yes!" - we too want to share Christ's life. Yes, we wish to truly immerse ourselves in the values and 'movement towards God' that Christ's Good News embodies. We want to be united with Jesus who is utterly committed to the establishment of God's loving, just and merciful Kingdom in all its fullness. And we too, are aware of the necessity of the Cross, which is the unavoidable cost of that commitment. There is always going to be a worthwhile cost and the reality of suffering in any love that serves and gives completely. Love that suffers, and actions that give completely of self, are founded firmly in Christ. Baptism into Jesus is an infinitely more profound action than what was done by people such as John and his disciples. Although a powerful forerunner to Christ's action, John's baptism was a sign of conversion to, and commitment to God's Kingdom, and also, for almost everyone requesting it, a powerful sign of their repentance of sin. These baptisms were powerful but symbolic. They were repeatable. But Baptism into Jesus that we receive, is once and for all. It is a true and effective grafting into the life of Christ, the life of God.
Jesus made holy the waters of baptism, by investing this beautiful action with himself and pouring into the water everything He stands is and everything for which he stands.
Let us ask Our Lord to keep us committed to his vision of the Kingdom in all ways and at all times, in thought, word and deed.
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References:
Homily by Fr Paul W. Kelly
The New Community Bible. 2012. Strathfield, N.S.W.: St. Pauls. ^
Liturgia Commentary. Baptism of the Lord Year C. Liturgy Brisbane. © Copyright Liturgy Brisbane 2018;
THE DAILY STUDY BIBLE. GOSPEL OF LUKE. (REVISED EDITION). BY WILLIAM BARCLAY;
SHARING THE WORD THROUGH THE LITURGICAL YEAR. GUSTAVO GUTIERREZ;
2010 – A BOOK OF GRACE-FILLED DAYS. BY Alice Camille;
PATRICE J. TUOHY, PrepareTheWord.com, 2008, TrueQuest Communications, LLC
Image Credit- https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/pDMlAHLRvoMCYn9loxYF/the-holy-spirit-descended-on-him-in-bodily-form-like-a-dove-and-a-voice-came-from-heaven-you-are-my-?ru=Paul-Evangelion
The Baptism of the Lord. Year C. (first Sunday of Ordinary Time) (Sunday 12th January 2025) (EPISODE: 513)
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
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{{Peace and Patience to you all}}
Coming together as brothers and sisters in Christ, let us pause and reflect upon our sins to celebrate the Holy Eucharist.
Lord Jesus, you healed the sick: Lord, have mercy//Lord Jesus, you forgave sinners: Christ, have mercy//Lord Jesus, you give us yourself to heal us and bring us strength: Lord, have mercy.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Psalm 104:1b-2, 3-4, 24-25, 27+28, 29-30. "Oh, bless the Lord, my soul!"
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. Luke 3:16). Alleluia, alleluia! John said: He who is to come is mightier than I. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Memorial Acclamation
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
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PREFACE: Baptism of the Lord
EP I
(theme variation: v6 )
(pre+post variation: v2-long)
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{Many thanks for participating in this time of praise and reflection upon our loving God.}
Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.
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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com
To listen to the weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly
Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)
Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)
"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers.
Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993) . (Sydney Australia).
Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria, Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org.
- "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - in memory of William John Kelly - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.
"Quiet Time." Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020.
- "Today I Arise" - For Trisha J Kelly. Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.
Sound Engineering and editing - P.W. Kelly.
Microphones: - Shure MV5 –USB -
Editing equipment: NCH Software - MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software
NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 12.44
Sound Processing: iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor
[Production - KER - 2025]
May God bless and keep you.
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