The Baptism of the Lord : Being the Beloved

First Reading  Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11  
Isaiah tells the people to prepare a way for the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm  Psalm 104:1b-4,24-25,27-30  
A prayer praising God's greatness

Second Reading  Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7 
Jesus Christ saved us and renewed us with his Holy Spirit.

Gospel Reading
Luke 3:15-16,21-22

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. This brings to an end the season of Christmas. The Church recalls Our Lord's second manifestation or epiphany which occurred on the occasion of His baptism in the Jordan. Jesus descended into the River to sanctify its waters and to give them the power to beget sons of God. The event takes on the importance of a second creation in which the entire Trinity intervenes. At His baptism Christ was proclaimed the "Beloved Son" of the Father; at our Baptism we become the adopted sons of God. At Christ's baptism the heavens were opened; at our Baptism heaven was opened to us. At His baptism Jesus prayed; after our Baptism we must pray to avoid actual sin.