Gospel for the day -  The Baptism of the Lord - Year A

Matthew 3:13-17
‘When Jesus was baptised he saw the Spirit of God coming to rest on him.’


At that time: Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptised by him. John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me?’ But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.’ Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptised, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’


This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary

Having used our prayer resources, you might want simply to reflect yourself on them 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 please email us: cluster.alpha@outlook.com




Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)


Like John, we might wonder why Jesus was so intent on being baptised although he was without sin. The first and second reading remind us that the forgiveness of sins in baptism is but the start of a journey. We are anointed with the Holy Spirit for a mission. Like Jesus, and with Jesus, we are sent to make the blind see, to set prisoners free, to do good, to heal, to faithfully bring forth justice.


Q1. Filled with the delight of the Christmas season which draws to a close today, where can we use our gifts for that mission in our Cluster and in the world we live in?

Q2. Do you think that God was "well pleased" by your actions in recent weeks? Why?


 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center


Prayers of Intercession

We pray that through the waters of baptism and God’s holy word, Christ’s light may shine in the darkness of our lives.

Lord in your mercy ... Hear our prayer


That God’s love may enter our human animosity and complacency, bringing reconciliation to those who are divided and broken. 

Lord in your mercy ... Hear our prayer


That God will encourage all peacemakers working in the world.

Lord in your mercy ... Hear our prayer


That those who are suffering in fear, anxiety, depression, and mental health issues may know God’s healing love in their lives through the care and compassion of family and friends and all who offer support.

Lord in your mercy ... Hear our prayer


May the remembrance of our own baptismal promise inspire us to serve in different ways in our Cluster community and in our world. Just as Christ’s baptism is a sign of unity and salvation, may the celebration of Christ’s baptism today inspire us to work toward Christian unity.

Lord in your mercy ... Hear our prayer


For healing for the sick and the afflicted, for the encouragement for the discouraged and for all on the Prayer Foundation list.

Lord in your mercy ... Hear our prayer


We pray for those who have died recently and the loved ones who mourn them. Especially: Irene Turnbull, Alesandra Inglis, Mary Brogan, Chris Hampton and Christopher Bell.

Lord in your mercy ... Hear our prayer

We will now say together the prayer to be missionary disciples.

Cluster prayer

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 - 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

John 1:29-34
‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.’

At that time: John saw Jesus coming towards him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, “After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.” I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptising with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.’ And John bore witness: ‘I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptise with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptises with the Holy Spirit.” And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.’


This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary



Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)

Today's gospel gives us much to think about despite its brevity. We see John the Baptist, loudly, confidently, jubilantly proclaiming Jesus. There is no hesitation. It is almost as if he is in shock - he tells the crowd that he had always been aware of his role to reveal the messiah, but he had no idea who it would be and how he would identify them. But he knows when he sees his cousin Jesus. This suggests perhaps that John had seen Jesus as just any other child, working and growing into adulthood and it was only at the river Jordan that he saw him as messiah. John's certainty feels magnetic. He says that he has seen the proof promised by God - his absolute certainty in his belief and work is evident. However, from our privileged position we know, that despite this, sometime later, John was asking Jesus whether he was in fact the one? This tells us that we will all have periods of doubt. Despite John's certainty and the signs that he was given he found it difficult to consistently trust Jesus' message. Why? Because the message that Jesus was bringing was far from the worldly message that might is right and rulers use wealth and power to impose their will. In John the Baptist's own words, Jesus' way was to be the Lamb of God. 


This description tells us that Jesus is not destined to be a man of power, impressive in the world's eyes. The lamb was significant in Jewish tradition, and it was the blood of the lamb that marked the homes of those saved from death in the Passover. The lambs' sacrifice meant freedom and life to those for whom its blood was shed. Jesus shed his blood on the cross to set us all free. Free from the worldly message that might is right and there must be winners and losers. When we look at people in power, in church, politics or the workplace - who do we admire and find ourselves agreeing with? 

 

Q1. Have you ever felt anything like the confidence and certainty that John the Baptist demonstrated when proclaiming that Jesus was the son of God? Why do we find it so difficult to maintain? 

Q2. We witness to Christ as John did, by living lives full of generosity, forgiveness, and mercy toward others. When do you find it most difficult to do this? *

 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center