New Start

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/011115.cfm) reminds me that God gives us a new start to do things right

The new year brings something that a lot of people make the most of – a fresh start. Yes, it’s true that we can start or end things everyday, there is a psychological difference if we do it on a new year. A lot of people make resolutions, a lot quit a bad habit, a lot start good ones, and a lot make the most out of the opportunity to do something new, to do something fresh. A new year, a fresh start. This is what Jesus’ baptism reminds us.

Jesus baptism ushers in a new chapter of his life. It ushered in the start of his public ministry – his doing and preaching God’s message to others. It’s a new chapter, It’s a new start for Jesus. And we are reminded today that we too are given this opportunity by God to start things new, to do things right, to get right with him.

As Jesus was being baptized, God’s voice was heard. “You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.” And just as God told this to Jesus, he too can say this to us, if we act like Jesus. The second reading tells how – that as God’s children, we should love God and obey his commandments. We can see Jesus living this. Jesus is a king, yet he humbled himself and had himself baptized by John. He was humble and obedient to God.

May we take this opportunity and start living right with God. Let us humble ourselves and submit to God, and allow Him to use us, love us, and love through us.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for another chance to experience your love. Lord, thank you for the opportunity to start fresh and start new. Help me make the most of this and do things right, live in a way pleasing to you. Help me to be like Jesus – humble and obedient to you. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

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January 11, 2015

The Baptism of the Lord

Lectionary: 21

Reading 1 Is 42:1-4, 6-7

Thus says the LORD:

Here is my servant whom I uphold,

my chosen one with whom I am pleased,

upon whom I have put my spirit;

he shall bring forth justice to the nations,

not crying out, not shouting,

not making his voice heard in the street.

a bruised reed he shall not break,

and a smoldering wick he shall not quench,

until he establishes justice on the earth;

the coastlands will wait for his teaching.

I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice,

I have grasped you by the hand;

I formed you, and set you

as a covenant of the people,

a light for the nations,

to open the eyes of the blind,

to bring out prisoners from confinement,

and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10.R. (11b) The Lord will bless his people with peace.

Give to the LORD, you sons of God,

give to the LORD glory and praise,

Give to the LORD the glory due his name;

adore the LORD in holy attire.

R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.

The voice of the LORD is over the waters,

the LORD, over vast waters.

The voice of the LORD is mighty;

the voice of the LORD is majestic.

R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.

The God of glory thunders,

and in his temple all say, “Glory!”

The LORD is enthroned above the flood;

the LORD is enthroned as king forever.

R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.

Reading 2 1 Jn 5:1-9

Beloved: 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.

In this way we know that we love the children of God

when we love God and obey his commandments.

For the love of God is this,

that we keep his commandments.

And his commandments are not burdensome,

for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world.

And the victory that conquers the world is our faith.

Who indeed is the victor over the world

but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

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.

So there are three that testify,

the Spirit, the water, and the blood,

and the three are of one accord.

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. Mk 9:7 R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The heavens were opened and the voice of the Father thundered:

This is my beloved Son, listen to him.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 1:7-11

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.

I have baptized you with water;

he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee

and was baptized in the Jordan by John.

On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open

and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.

And a voice came from the heavens,

“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”