The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

Today the Church  celebrates the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The assigned readings are Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; Acts 10:34-38; and Matthew 3:13-17. The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 29 (Psalm 29:1-4, 3, 9-10).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Psalm 29: The Lord Will Bless His People With Peace (Grail/Guimont)

The Gospel reading is as follows:

Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?"

Jesus said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him. 

After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sunday Reflections: Baptism of the Lord (January 12, 2020)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Baptism of the Lord (January 12, 2020)

Community in Mission: The Bountiful Blessings of Baptism - A Homily for the Baptism of the Lord (11 JAN 20)

Crossroads Initiative: Baptism of the Son of God

The Sacred Page: The Feast of the Baptism (10 JAN 20)

The Sacred Page: The Baptism of the Lord (The Mass Readings Explained) (6 JAN 20)

Rhode Island Catholic: Sunday Scripture: New year, new creation (9 JAN 20)

St. Paul Center: Anointed Ones: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Baptism of the Lord

Word on Fire: Vitae Spiritualis Ianua (Feasts * Baptism of the Lord)

National Catholic Register: Sunday Readings: Light for the Nations: Baptism's Call (7 JAN 20)

Spirituality of the Readings: You Are My Beloved (The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord) 

In Exile: Fear (The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord)

Glancing Thoughts: Here and Now (The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord) 

The Perspective of Justice: Way of Salvation (The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord)

Let the Scriptures Speak: A Peace Church? (The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord)

The Word Embodied: Transformations of the Body (The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord)

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by Gregory the Wonderworker (The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord)