SOCL, Baptism of the LordA

Sunday, January 11, 2026

See

Begin by recalling some special moment between yourself and your parents. Did you ever hear from them the equivalent of “This is my son, my daughter, the beloved: my favour rests on you”? In Jesus’ ministry, on several occasions, he felt such a word from his Abba, his Father. His baptism by John was one such moment, as was the Transfiguration later on. Such deep love and affirmation grounded him as a human being and as God’s prophet to the people of Israel. Our sense of calling grows out of our relationship with the Father, whose beloved we are, whose favour we too enjoy.

Listen

Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; Psalm 29 (28); Acts 10:34-38; Matthew 3:13-17

Reflect

(Matthew 3: 13-17)

The Baptism of Jesus marks a turning point in his life, and the start of his public ministry. Recall moments when your life changed and you moved into a new phase.

The experience was one in which Jesus had a new sense of his own identity. What have been the experiences which have helped shaped your sense of who you are?

How have you come to an awareness of being a child of God, beloved by God, and one on whom rests the grace of God?

It is surprising that Jesus, the Saviour of the world, asks to be baptised by John. The request symbolises his desire to identify with us. At the same time he is filled with the Holy Spirit. That step of identifying with us is an important element in his being able to help us. Have you ever found that when someone identifies with you, it is easier for him/ her to help you? Has your ability to identify with others had any impact on your effectiveness in helping others?

Pray

God of the covenant, you anointed your beloved Son with the power of the Holy Spirit, to be the light of the nations and release for captives. Grant that we who are born again of water and the Spirit may proclaim with our lips the good news of his peace and show forth in our lives the victory of his justice. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ, your Word made flesh, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, in the splendour of eternal light, God for ever and ever. Amen.

The Word today, Baptism of the LordA

January 12 - January 17, 2026

Monday 12 January

1 Samuel 1:1-8 Today we start, at a distance, the important story of King David, a story to be followed for the next couple of weeks. The Samuel of the title was a religious leader who found and anointed the first kings of Israel. Today’s opening verses present us with the challenge of childlessness. The husband’s understanding and affection are very touching.

Mark 1:14-20 We start today a fresh reading of the Gospel of Mark: may God give us a listening heart to hear it afresh today!

Tuesday 13 January

St Hilary, bishop and doctor of the Church

1 Samuel 1:9-20 In the Bible, there are “story patterns” that recur. One of these story types regularly tells of a woman who has no children of her own. This is a cause of suffering and supplication. Eventually, by God’s intervention, the woman becomes pregnant. Christians are familiar with this kind of story from the Luke’s accounts of the birth of John the Baptist and the birth of Jesus. Our passage today includes a critique of the priesthood, because Eli the priest does not discern what is happening.

Mark 1:21-28 Jesus speaks (and acts) always from within, from the inside, so to speak, of his own authority.

Wednesday 14 January

1 Samuel 3:1-10,19-20 This is one of the great stories of call and vocation in the Bible. Once more, the priest Eli is slow to understand. Eventually, however, it dawns on him that God is calling the boy, Samuel. The turning point is in the words “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening,” picked up perfectly by the Psalm.

Mark 1:29-39 Our Gospel reminds us of the sources of Jesus authority and spirituality: his prayer.

Thursday 15 January

St Ita, virgin

1 Samuel 4:1-11 Today the reading introduces a second important element in the story of 1 and 2 Samuel: the ark of the covenant. The ark of the covenant was a piece of furniture, a kind of chest or box, used to symbolise God’s presence among the people. The presence of the ark gave power to its owners and the loss of it meant a corresponding loss of power. In our story, the loss of the ark and the killing of the sons of Eli are read as a punishment.

Mark 1:40-45 The compassion of Jesus is both immense and immediate. The leper inspires us to recognize our need of God.

Friday 16 January

St Fursa, abbot and missionary

1 Samuel 8:4-7,10-22 This brilliant passage conveys the unease in the Bible with monarchy as such. This may come as a surprise, but listen carefully to all the reasons why a monarch would be a bad idea. But the real objection is the rejection of God as the only true king over Israel. The desire “to be like any other nation” will, in the very long term, lead to disaster and exile.

Mark 2:1-12 This Gospel passage is really about us: we too are carried by others; we too have our sins forgiven; we too learn to walk again in the light of Gospel.

Saturday 17 January

St Anthony of Egypt, abbot

1 Samuel 9:1-4, 17-19, 10:1 Restoring the missing verses would make the reading clearer and more entertaining. Finally, we are told of the anointing of the first king over Israel, Saul. The somewhat enigmatic story of the finding of Saul is meant to be a sign that he was God’s choice.

Mark 2:13-17 Our story is meant to be provocative on several levels: Jesus goes to the “wrong” people and, even worse, insists he was not sent to the conventionally holy who may not really know their need of God.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2026d, January 11). The Baptism of the Lord. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011126.cfm

-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings

One another, Baptism of the LordA

January 11, 2026

Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; Psalm 29 (28); Acts 10:34-38; Matthew 3:13-17

Sisters and brothers, our baptismal vows call us to compassion and mercy on behalf of those in need. We offer our prayers for the church and the world:

For the Church: that we may participate more fully in the mission of Jesus and place our gifts and talents in God’s service: let us pray to the Lord.

For the grace of humility: that we may enter into the woundedness and vulnerability of humanity and allow God to raise us to fuller life: let us pray to the Lord.

For the grace to listen: that we may recognize the many ways that God calls us, invites us to life, and provides opportunities for us to respond: let us pray to the Lord.

For a new springtime of justice: that we may strive to fulfill all righteousness in our words, actions, and relationships so that God may be glorified in all things: let us pray to the Lord.

For a renewed awareness of God’s covenant with us: that we may abide in God’s commitment to be our God and perceive the length and breadth of God’s love for us: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are preparing for baptism and for all who are newly baptized: that the Spirit of God will guide their growth in faith, wisdom, and holiness: let us pray to the Lord.

For a greater awareness of the deepest longings within our hearts: that we may recognize the hopes and dreams which God has placed in our hearts and allow God to lead us to their fulfillment: let us pray to the Lord.

For the gift of hope: that we may share the Good News with others so that they may find light, meaning and possibility in times of trial: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are discerning vocation choices, for those considering marriage, the single life, religious life, or ministry: that God will open them to greater self-understanding, inspire them to greater love, and strengthen them in their commitments: let us pray to the Lord.

For the members of Congress: that God will give them a clear understanding of the truth and courage to address the issues before them for the good of the nation: let us pray to the Lord.

For the members of state legislatures: that God will guide them in their deliberations, help them to work together for the common good, and inspire them with new insights in confronting the major issues of society: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are ill: that God’s Spirit will rest upon them, relieve their suffering and restore them to wholeness: let us pray to the Lord.

For peace and an end to violence: that God will inspire leaders as they seek to negotiate peace in the Middle East: let us pray to the Lord.

For greater respect for human life: that hearts may be opened to the value and dignity of all human life from conception until natural death: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are recovering from natural disasters, particularly from the wildfires in Australia: that God will preserve them from danger, give them courage and strength, and speed the assistance which they need: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who have experienced violence: that God will heal their wounds and memories, free them from fear, and protect them from further harm: let us pray to the Lord.

Lord God, you revealed your Son in the waters of the Jordan and anointed him with the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim good news to all people. Sanctify us by the same Spirit, that we may proclaim the healing power of the gospel by acts of love in your name. Amen.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2026d, January 11). The Baptism of the Lord. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011126.cfm

-Cormier, J. (1995). Lord, Hear Our Prayer: Prayer of the Faithful for Sundays, Holy Days, and Ritual Masses.