FAITH BOOK

BAPTISM OF THE LORD
January 12, 2025

Isaiah 42: 1-4, 6-7; Psalm 104;
Acts 10: 34-38; Luke 3: 15-16, 21-22

by Jude Siciliano, OP

Mini-reflections on the Sunday scripture readings designed for persons on the run. “Faith Book” is also brief enough to be posted in the Sunday parish bulletins people take home.

From today’s Gospel reading:

After all the people were baptized
and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying,
heaven opened and the Holy Spirit
descended upon him in bodily form like a dove.

Reflection:

The Spirit comes upon Jesus while he is praying. Prayer is a key theme throughout Luke’s gospel. Nothing important happens for Jesus in this gospel apart from prayer. Prayer must accompany the disciple’s ministry as well. Prayer opens the disciple’s eyes and ears so we can recognize Jesus when he appears disguised in the clothes of the ordinary people and events of our day.

So, we ask ourselves:

• Do I treat prayer as a formality each day, something I am “supposed to do?”

• As a person in the world, what steps can I take to begin to deepen my prayer life?

Click here for a link to this Sunday’s readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011225.cfm
 

FAITH BOOK ARCHIVE:

(The latest are always listed first.)

• 2nd SUNDAY •
• Baptism of the Lord •
• EPIPHANY •
• HOLY FAMILY •
• ADVENT IV •
• ADVENT III •