Here is the St. Francis Sunday Bulletin: https://container.parishesonline.com/bulletins/05/0622/20250112B.pdf
Review and reflect on the readings and the meditation on pages 4 and 5 in preparation for Sunday!
RECEIVING JESUS : My Guide to the MASS (Yellow Book)
JANUARY ASSIGNMENT
REVIEW
Penitiential Act: pages 18-19
Profession of Faith: Nicene Creed pages 28-29
The Lord's Prayer pages 54-55
Read a few pages every day:
The Liturgy of the Eucharist pages 33-51
The Communion Rite pages 53-63
FOR SUNDAY, January 12
LESSON OVERVIEW
In this week’s Gospel passage, John the Baptist foretells of the coming Messiah who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
He then baptizes Jesus, upon whom the Holy Spirit descends and comes to rest, while the Father proclaims Him to be His beloved Son. In this lesson, students will consider the meaning of Christ’s Baptism and the invitation to all of us it extends.
OPENING PRAYER:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, AMEN
Almighty God who lives forever,
We pray that you will open our minds and hearts to receive all you are teaching us through your Holy WORD. AMEN
Please show this video to children/youth: The Baptism of Jesus
GOSPEL Reading
LUKE 3:15-16:
15 People's hopes began to rise, and they began to wonder whether John perhaps might be the Messiah.
16 So John said to all of them, “I baptize you with water, but someone is coming who is much greater than I am. I am not good enough even to untie his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
LUKE 21-22:
21 After all the people had been baptized, Jesus also was baptized. While he was praying, heaven was opened,
22 and the Holy Spirit came down upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my own dear Son. I am pleased with you.”
REFLECTION:
We thank you for sending us your Son Jesus to be one of us.
We know that
Jesus, as both divine and human, was without original sin.
Jesus always obediently followed his Father's divine plan to save all of us.
Jesus was baptized by John with water and the Holy Spirit as part of God's rescue plan.
Jesus received the fiery power of the Holy Spirit at His Baptism to complete His Father's mission to save all of us.
God the Father spoke to Jesus from heaven:
"You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased."
Jesus showed us how WE receive His new life through OUR Sacrament of Baptism and become part of God's Family as adopted children forever
We believe that WE are cleansed from sin in the Sacrament of Baptism and receive the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit as Jesus did to live a happy life, pleasing to God.
Some questions to ponder in your heart:
What word or words caught your attention to ponder more deeply?
Example: Jesus was praying and the heavens opened and God spoke. Jesus is re-opening our way to heaven through baptism.
How can I learn to use the Holy Spirit power given to me at Baptism?
Example: Ask God to help me and teach me.
Why would attending Sunday Mass with a willing heart be pleasing to God?
Example: It would be a way to thank God for his blessings and to receive more of his life of grace in me. The very name of the Sacrament: EUCHARIST means thanksgiving. We offer ourselves as an offering with gratitude for ALL he has done for us.
CLOSING PRAYER
In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit AMEN.
God our Father,
through your Son you made us a NEW CREATION.
Jesus shared our nature and became one of us,
with his help, may we become more like him,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
AMEN.
GOING DEEPER for Confirmands
Why was Jesus Baptized?
Directions: Read the excerpt from the Catechism of the Catholic Church and respond to the Focus Questions.
Catechism of the Catholic Church no. 536 The baptism of Jesus is on his part the acceptance and inauguration of his mission as God's suffering Servant. He allows himself to be numbered among sinners; he is already "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world". Already he is anticipating the "baptism" of his bloody death. Already he is coming to "fulfill all righteousness", that is, he is submitting himself entirely to his Father's will: out of love he consents to this baptism of death for the remission of our sins. The Father's voice responds to the Son's acceptance, proclaiming his entire delight in his Son. The Spirit whom Jesus possessed in fullness from his conception comes to "rest on him". Jesus will be the source of the Spirit for all mankind. At his baptism "the heavens were opened" - the heavens that Adam's sin had closed - and the waters were sanctified by the descent of Jesus and the Spirit, a prelude to the new creation.
Focus Questions
What is signified by Jesus' Baptism?
Jesus' acceptance and beginning of his mission to fulfill God's plan.
In His Baptism, what does Jesus allow of Himself?
He allows himself to be seen as one of us.
What three things is Jesus already or already doing at His Baptism?
Jesus lets us know that he will be OUR "Lamb of God,”
He is already anticipating the “baptism” of His bloody death, and
He is fully submitting Himself to the Father’s will.
What is the Father’s voice responding to?
The Son's willing acceptance of his suffering Servant role to save us.
Why are Jesus and the Holy Spirit linked at His Baptism?
Jesus shows us what happens when WE are baptized. The Holy Spirit fills us with God's life of grace to guide us.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
We are baptized in the NAME of the Trinity: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Trinity was present and involved in the baptism of Jesus.
The baptisms of John and the disciples of Jesus were baptisms of repentence, turning back to God to be made ready for the Resurrected Christ as our Savior.
OTHER RESOURCES:
Here are excellent homilies on the Baptism of Our Lord to ponder:
Claimed by Father Mike Schultz: https://ascensionpress.com/pages/sunday-homilies-podcast?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=sundays&_kx=0CjFk8oeh9oMxQSHW96psewlU6FUsMeDnPOLqh2xpn0.TcpZhH
Encountering the Word by Jeff Cavins
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