The Baptism of the Lord

The following are prayerful resources rather than a liturgy.

  • The gospel for the day
    (a useful commentary on the reading          here)
  • Some optional questions for reflection
  • Prayers of Intercession
  • Cluster Prayer
  • The gospel of the week ahead with questions

Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

 'Someone is coming who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire'


A feeling of expectancy had grown among the people,

who were beginning to think

that John might be the Christ,

so John declared before them all,

‘I baptise you with water, but someone is coming,

someone who is more powerful than I am,

and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandals;

he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Now when all the people had been baptised

and while Jesus after his own baptism was at prayer,

heaven opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily shape,

like a dove. And a voice came from heaven,

‘You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you.’


This the gospel of the Lord


Copyright © 1996-2021 Universalis Publishing Limited: see www.universalis.com.

Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible are published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc.

Text of the Psalms: Copyright © 1963, The Grail (England). All rights reserved.

Having watched our online liturgy, you might want simply to reflect yourself on what you have seen and heard and how that might flow into your coming week. Some people have found it very helpful to meet with others and share their thoughts.
If you are interested  in joining a small group to share your thoughts and feelings about God's Word from any of the resources you have watched please email us.         cluster.alpha@outlook.com

Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)

 Through your baptism you were commissioned to tell people about Jesus:

what he has done for you and what he has done for the world...

  1. Reflect on how you might "up your game" as a missionary disciple in 2022.
  2. Do you think that God was "well pleased" by your actions in recent weeks? Why?

Prayers of Intercession

For the church, that we will respond to this new year’s message from the Pope, as he calls us to “build lasting peace” in the contexts of work, education and dialogue between generations.

 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

 

For everyone in the world with political and social responsibilities, that they will also respond to the Pope’s call for them to walk in solidarity, to resolve problems associated with climate disruption and world hunger and thirst.

 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

 

For all who live troubled lives; those who suffer depression and loneliness in these winter months; everyone addicted to harmful things and all whose lives have been damaged or broken. May our local churches unite in bringing Christ’s healing touch to all who do not yet know the power of God’s love and may they be faithful messengers of the Good News of the Gospel.

 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

 

For our local parish community, that our baptism in Christ Jesus may speak boldly of God’s compassion. May we work for justice and peace and bridge all strained relationships with love.

 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

 

For our children and young people who have returned to school, that they will work together to keep each other safe. As they pursue their education during this pandemic, may God protect their hearts from fear and give them hope in a better future.

 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

 

For ourselves, that in the true spirit of humility, we may, as John the Baptist did at Jesus’ baptism, point away from ourselves towards the living Christ. May we learn to let go of everything that keeps us from hearing the still small voice within.

 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

 

For the sick, lonely, housebound and vulnerable and everyone on the Prayer Foundation list. May they, in the midst of their suffering, experience a deep peace in Christ’s embrace.

 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

 

For those who have died. May God’s love lead them home. And may all who mourn them grieve with hope. We remember especially in our prayers John Waugh Snr and  Angela Jensen.

 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer


Prayer to be Missionary Disciples

Picture of Jesus at door

Lord continue to bless our community
in this time of transition.
Help us on our journey
to grow from a maintenance church
to a missionary church.
Give us the courage
to be missionary disciples.
Make our doors wide enough
to receive all who need
human love and fellowship;
narrow enough to shut out
all envy, pride and prejudice.
Kindle in us the fire of your love
that all who come here
will find joy, peace and love.
Make this a house of prayer
and a gateway to your kingdom.
AMEN

Preparing for next week

John 2:1-11    This was the first of the signs given by Jesus: it was at Cana in Galilee.


There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee.

The mother of Jesus was there,

and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited.

When they ran out of wine,

since the wine provided for the wedding was all finished,

the mother of Jesus said to him,

‘They have no wine.’

Jesus said ‘Woman, why turn to me? My hour has not come yet.’

His mother said to the servants,

‘Do whatever he tells you.’

There were six stone water jars standing there,

meant for the ablutions that are customary among the Jews:

each could hold twenty or thirty gallons.

Jesus said to the servants,

‘Fill the jars with water’, and they filled them to the brim.

‘Draw some out now’ he told them ‘and take it to the steward.’

They did this; the steward tasted the water, and it had turned into wine.

Having no idea where it came from –

only the servants who had drawn the water knew –

the steward called the bridegroom and said,

‘People generally serve the best wine first,

and keep the cheaper sort till the guests have had plenty to drink;

but you have kept the best wine till now.’
This was the first of the signs given by Jesus:

it was given at Cana in Galilee.

He let his glory be seen, and his disciples believed in him.

This the gospel of the Lord


Copyright © 1996-2021 Universalis Publishing Limited: see www.universalis.com.

Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible are published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc.

Text of the Psalms: Copyright © 1963, The Grail (England). All rights reserved

Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)

The reign of God is often likened to a wedding feast.

Mary (again!) is crucial to this first sign of God's coming among us.

The "new wine" - the best ever - transforms a ceremony into a joyous celebration.

Now you too are invited to join the celebration - sing and dance for the Lord is in your heart!

  1. Describe an "ordinary" event in your life that turned out to have extraordinary meaning for you. (Share)
  2. When have you stepped in, as Mary did at Cana, to try and make a difficult situation easier for someone?