Monday, January 09, 2012 {The Baptism of the Lord (Feast)}

REFLECTION FOR TODAY
Be careful to give no credit to yourself for anything; if you do, you are stealing from God, to whom alone every good thing is due.
-- St Vincent de Paul

READINGS FOR TODAY
First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
(The Lord's Servant)
1 Behold, my servant, whom I uphold; my chosen, in whom my soul delights: I have put my Spirit on him; he will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.
2 He will not cry, nor lift up his voice, nor cause it to be heard in the street.
3 A bruised reed will he not break, and a dimly burning wick will he not quench: he will bring forth justice in truth.
4 He will not fail nor be discouraged, until he have set justice in the earth; and the islands shall wait for his law.
6 I, Yahweh, have called you in righteousness, and will hold your hand, and will keep you, and give you for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
7 to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, and those who sit in darkness out of the prison-house.
Psalms: Psalm 29:1-4, 3, 9-10
(The Voice of the Lord in the Storm)
1 Ascribe to Yahweh, you sons of the mighty, Ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due to his name. Worship Yahweh in holy array.
3 Yahweh’s voice is on the waters. The God of glory thunders, even Yahweh on many waters.
4 Yahweh’s voice is powerful. Yahweh’s voice is full of majesty.
3 Yahweh’s voice is on the waters. The God of glory thunders, even Yahweh on many waters.
9 Yahweh’s voice makes the deer calve, And strips the forests bare. In his temple everything says, “Glory!”
10 Yahweh sat enthroned at the Flood. Yes, Yahweh sits as King forever.
Second Reading: Acts 10: 34-38
(Peter's Speech)
34 Peter opened his mouth and said, “Truly I perceive that God doesn’t show favoritism;
35 but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.
36 The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all— 37 that spoken word you yourselves know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
38 even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
Gospel: Mark 1:7-11
(The Baptism Jesus)
7 He preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and loosen.
8 I baptized you in water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.”
9 It happened in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
10 Immediately coming up from the water, he saw the heavens parting, and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
11 A voice came out of the sky, “You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”