Cycle B Sunday Baptism Of Lord

First Sunday of the Year The Baptism of the Lord [CYCLE B]

MAIN MESSAGE

[This is for reference only. Please do not read it at Mass] The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord marks the beginning of Christ’s public ministry. He is about to begin his work of teaching, preaching, healing… leading on to his passion and death. He could be compared to an athlete about to begin a very difficult and challenging race. As a mother blesses her child who is about to sit for a difficult examination; or as the coach of a football team gives the players a pep talk before they go out onto the field; we see the Father strengthening his Son for the task ahead. He speaks words of encouragement and he anoints him with ‘the Holy Spirit and with power’. Like Jesus, we too have a ‘mission’ and we too have been anointed with the Holy Spirit at our baptism. We call on the Spirit’s power as we try our best to do what we have been sent to do.

INTRODUCTION: Celebrant: Last Sunday we saw Jesus as a baby with the Wise Men bowing down to him and giving him gifts. We ‘jump over’ all his growing up years and now come to a very important moment in his life: his Baptism. It is as if Jesus is a runner and he is about to run a very difficult and important race, even more important than an Olympic final. He is about to start the work he came to do: to save the world. What does God the Father do at this time? Let’s find out today. LITURGY OF THE WORD: Commentator: In this reading God says, “Here is my servant!” He is talking about Jesus. Even though Jesus is his own son, he was ready to serve God, his Father. First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-2, 4, 6-7. Psalm: 29: 3abde-4, 3cde & 9ef-10. Commentator: At first Peter thought that God only gave the Holy Spirit to the Jews, but he now realised that God was ready to give his Spirit to anyone who opened his heart. That is why he was very happy and excited. As he was telling the people about Jesus, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Second Reading: Acts 10:34-38. Gospel: Luke 3:15-16, 21-22.

Homily: Celebrant: Have any of you seen the movie ‘The Ice Princess’? It is about a girl who loved to skate on ice. Her name was Casey. Casey had trained very hard for a big skating competition. At last the big day arrived and it was Casey’s turn to perform. She had a special dress for her dance and knew her moves and the music perfectly. But Casey was not very happy. She had had a quarrel with her mother and that was disturbing her. Suddenly she slipped and fell on the ice. Everyone thought, “That’s the end of her chances!” But when Casey looked up she saw her mother in the audience, smiling and waving at her. She was suddenly filled with fresh courage. She got up and danced and skated better than she had ever done before. In spite of losing points for her fall, she won the second prize! How proud her mother was of her! •

Children, have you ever taken part in a race, a competition, or a big concert? Did any of your family come to watch you and encourage you? Maybe before you left home, Mummy blessed you and prayed for you to do well.

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Before a big football match the team coach gets the whole team together in a room and gives them a ‘pep talk’. That is, he encourages them, “You can win this match! You have the power. Just forget all your fears and doubts and go out and play your best!”

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It was something like this at Jesus’ baptism. Jesus is now grown up. He is just about to start his special work. It was not going to be easy. He would have to leave his home and his mother and start travelling all over choosing his apostles, training them, teaching people, healing all the thousands of sick who would come to him. Finally he would die on the cross.

• What did the Father do at this time? Like the coach of the football team, the Father made Jesus strong. He sent down the Holy Spirit to give him power to do all this work. He even spoke words from the sky: “This is my beloved son, whom I am very pleased with!” • With the Holy Spirit in him, Jesus was able to finish his difficult work. He became a winner! •

God has chosen each of you to be his son, his daughter. He wants you to help him to save the world. You don’t have to die on a cross like Jesus, but he has a special job for you. That is why at your baptism, he gave you his Holy Spirit. Every day, as you try to do what God asks you to do, say, “Holy Spirit, make me strong!” You too win be a winner, with Jesus.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS ENTRANCE: OFFERTORY: COMMUNION: RECESSIONAL:

Our God is an Awesome God More Love, More Power Sons of God God’s Spirit is in My Heart

PREPARATION REQUIRED: • Practice readings. • Make poster and put up.

FIR ST REA DING : A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah: Here is my servant! I have made him strong. He is my chosen one, and I am pleased with him. I will give him my Spirit, and he will bring justice to the nations. He won’t shout or yell or call out in the streets. He won’t quit or give up until he brings justice to all the earth, and people in foreign lands long for his teaching. I, the Lord, chose you because of my kindness, and I am here at your side. I created you and appointed you to bring light and my promise of hope to the nations. You will give sight to the blind and set prisoners free from dark dungeons. This is the Word of the Lord. PSALM :

Response: The Lor d w il l bless h is people wi th peace.

The voice of the Lord echoes over the oceans. He thunders above the roar of the raging seas, and his voice is mighty and marvellous.

The glorious Lord God thunders above the roar of the raging seas, and the temple is filled with shouts of praise. The Lord rules on his throne, king of the flood forever.

SECO ND R EADI NG: A reading from the Acts of the Apostles: Peter said to Cornelius and his household: “Now I am certain that God treats all people alike. God is pleased with everyone who worships him and does right, no matter what nation they come from. This is the same message that God gave to the people of Israel, when he sent Jesus Christ, the Lord of all, to offer peace to them. “You surely know what happened everywhere in Judea. It all began in Galilee after John had told everyone to be baptised. God gave the Holy Spirit and power to Jesus of Nazareth. He was with Jesus, as he went about doing good and healing everyone who was under the power of the devil.” This is the Word of the Lord. ACCLA MA TION :

GOSPEL :

Alleluia, alleluia. The heavens were opened and the Father’s voice was heard: This is my beloved Son, listen to him. Alleluia, alleluia.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.

Everyone became excited and wondered, “Could John be the Messiah?” John said, “I am just baptising with water. But someone more powerful is going to come, and I am not good enough even to untie his sandals. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” After everyone else had been baptised, Jesus himself was baptised. Then as he prayed, the sky opened up, and the Holy Spirit came down upon him in the form of a dove. A voice from heaven said, “You are my own Son, and I am pleased with you.” This is the Gospel of the Lord. NB. All Readings are taken from the ‘Lectionary for Masses with Children’ canonically approved for use in the USA.