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A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mk 1:7-11)

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."

John declares that someone greater than him is coming. "I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals," he says. He emphasizes that while he baptizes with water, the one who is to come will baptize with the Holy Spirit. After the baptism of Jesus, as he comes up out of the water, the heavens open and the Holy Spirit descends upon Him in the form of a dove. As a voice from the heavens, God affirms the divine identity of his Son. In the baptism of Jesus, we see his humility and connection to humanity. The Son of God is like us in every way but sin. In the voice of his Father, we hear how we are to respond to Jesus: "Listen to him."

Father in heaven, you testified on behalf of your Son so that we might believe him. And the testimony you have given, John says, is this: "God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever possesses the Son has life; whoever does not possess the Son of God does not have life." Help me today to listen to your Son, to imitate him in my words and actions, in what I say and do and what I stop myself from saying and doing. Give me the grace to realize that I am your adopted son through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son so that you may say to me at the end of this day and at the threshold of eternal life: "You are my beloved son; with you I am well pleased."

From the first reading: "God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever possesses the Son has life; whoever does not possess the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you so that you may know that you have eternal life, you who believe in the name of the Son of God." Saint Joseph and Saint André Bessette, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.