January 10
The Baptism of the Lord
Feast shown for the year 2027; movable feasts can vary from year to year.
The Baptism of the Lord marks the end of the Christmas season in the liturgical calendar and commemorates the moment when Jesus, at about thirty years of age, was baptized by St John the Baptist in the River Jordan. This event is described in all four Gospels and signifies the public beginning of Christ's earthly ministry. During His baptism, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove, and the voice of the Father proclaimed Him as the beloved Son, making this a profound manifestation of the Holy Trinity. Traditionally, the Church sees this feast as not only a revelation of Jesus’ identity but also as a model for Christian baptism, inviting the faithful to renew their own baptismal promises. The Baptism of the Lord reminds us of our own call to discipleship and the grace that comes with initiation into the life of Christ. Celebrating this feast, the Church reflects on the humility of Jesus, who, though sinless, submitted Himself to John’s baptism of repentance to identify fully with humanity.
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Questions about The Baptism of the Lord (Novus Ordo Missae)
Liturgical texts of January 10, 2027
The liturgical day
Mass readings
First readingIs 55, 1-11
Thus says the Lord:
All you who are thirsty,
come, here is water!
Even if you have no money,
come, buy and consume,
come buy wine and milk
without money, at no cost.
Why spend your money on what does not nourish,
labor for what does not satisfy?
Listen to me well, and you will eat good things,
you will feast on delicious foods!
Lend your ear! Come to me!
Listen, and you will live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you:
these are the faithful mercies promised to David.
Him, I have made a witness for the peoples,
for the nations, a leader and commander.
You will call a nation unknown to you;
a nation that does not know you will hasten to you,
because of the Lord your God,
because of the Holy One of Israel, for he has made you glorious.
Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near.
Let the wicked abandon his way,
and the evil man his thoughts!
Let him return to the Lord
who will show him mercy,
to our God
who is rich in forgiveness.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
and your ways are not my ways,
– says the Lord.
As high as the heavens are above the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts above your thoughts.
The rain and snow that come down from the heavens
do not return there without watering the earth,
making it fruitful and sprout,
giving seed to the sower
and bread to the eater;
so shall my word be, that goes forth from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but shall do what pleases me,
and accomplish its mission.
– The word of the Lord.
OR:
CanticleIs 12, 2, 4bcd, 5-6
Here is the God who saves me:
I trust and have no more fear.
My strength and my song is the Lord;
he has become my salvation.
Give thanks to the Lord,
proclaim his name,
make known among the nations his mighty deeds!
Say it again: “Exalted is his name!”
Sing to the Lord, for he shows his greatness,
and all the earth knows it.
Shout for joy, cry out in gladness, inhabitants of Zion,
for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel!
Second reading1 Jn 5, 1-9
Beloved,
whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ,
has been born of God;
whoever loves the Father who begot
also loves the One born of him.
This is how we recognize
that we love the children of God:
when we love God
and keep his commandments.
For this is the love of God:
to keep his commandments;
and his commandments are not burdensome,
since everyone born of God
overcomes the world.
And the victory that conquers the world
is our faith.
Who then is the conqueror of the world?
Is it not the one who believes
that Jesus is the Son of God?
This is the one, Jesus Christ,
who came by water and blood:
not by water only,
but by water and by blood.
And the one who testifies is the Spirit,
for the Spirit is the truth.
Indeed, there are three that testify,
the Spirit, the water, and the blood,
and the three are one.
We do receive human testimony;
but God’s testimony is greater,
for God’s testimony
is the one he has given about his Son.
– The word of the Lord.
GospelMc 1, 7-11
At that time,
John the Baptist proclaimed:
“The one who is coming after me
is mightier than I;
I am not worthy to stoop down
and untie the strap of his sandals.
I have baptized you with water;
but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
In those days,
Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee,
and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
And immediately, as he came up from the water,
he saw the heavens being torn open
and the Spirit descending upon him like a dove.
And a voice came from the heavens:
“You are my beloved Son;
with you I am well pleased.”
– Let us acclaim the Word of God.
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org