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Catholic  January 11, 2009 The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord   First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7 Thus says the LORD: Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations, not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street.  a bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, until he establishes justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait for his teaching.  I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness. Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 29: 1-4, 9-10 The Lord will bless his people with peace.  Give to the LORD, you sons of God, give to the LORD glory and praise, Give to the LORD the glory due his name; adore the LORD in holy attire.  The voice of the LORD is over the waters, the LORD, over vast waters.  The voice of the LORD is mighty; the voice of the LORD is majestic.  The God of glory thunders, and in his temple all say, “Glory!”  The LORD is enthroned above the flood; the LORD is enthroned as king forever.     or Responsorial Psalm: Isaiah 12:2-6 You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation. God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid.  My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior.  With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation.  Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name; among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name.  Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement; let this be known throughout all the earth.  Shout with exultation, O city of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel! Second Reading: Acts 10:34-38  Peter proceeded to speak to those gathered in the house of Cornelius, saying:  “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality.  Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.  You know the word that he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power.  He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” Second Reading: 1 John 5:1-9 Beloved: Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God, and everyone who loves the Father loves also the one begotten by him.  In this way we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments.  For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world.  And the victory that conquers the world is our faith.  Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?  This is the one who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ, not by water alone, but by water and blood.  The Spirit is the one who testifies, and the Spirit is truth.  So there are three that testify, the Spirit, the water, and the blood, and the three are of one accord.  If we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is surely greater.  Now the testimony of God is this, that he has testified on behalf of his Son. Gospel: Mark 1:7-11  This is what John the Baptist proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me.  I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.  I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”  It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John.  On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.  And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”   Prayerful thoughts from Rev. Jack Vessels, SJ, Director Manresa Jesuit Retreat House Reflections for Jan 11, Baptism of Jesus: Isa 42.1-7; Acts 10.34-38; MK 1.7-11‏ I, THE LORD, HAVED CALLED YOU FOR THE VICTORY OF JUSTICE; TO OPEN THE EYES OF THE BLIND, BRING PRISONERS FROM CONFINEMENT, & FROM THE DUNGEON, THOSE WHO LIVE IN DARKNESS. John proclaimed, 'I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.'  A voice came from the heavens: 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.'   During the day: Be a liberator. Look around & identify the prisoners. Set them free. Help them see the truth about themselves & others; the Spirit of truth uses us whenever we let It. The real repression is from within: free the repressors, & the oppressed regain their dignity.   ABOUT PRAYER: Prayer is spiritual exercise. Godlike, mind & will are of the spirit, not the flesh. The One who leads our exercises is the Spirit of Christ; he did a good job with Jesus & is willing to do the same with us.  Regular prayer, grateful & generous, gives It the opportunity.