January 10, Baptism of the Lord

The Lord will bless his people with peace.--Psalm 29:11

Mass readings: Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7 / Acts 10:34-38 / Luke 3:15-16,21-22

Baptismal Promise

Isaiah and John were both prophets who lived hundreds of years apart but who both proclaimed the same message: the coming of the Messiah. The Gospel says that at the time of Jesus' baptism the people were ''filled with expectation.'' They were longing to be saved from their difficult circumstances both physically and spiritually.

Many of us might feel the same way. Life can get hard sometimes and the fact that Jesus sought to be baptized is proof that He's not a ''far away'' God but a Savior who wants to experience and understand our human condition to the fullest extent possible. When we need Him, we can be filled with expectation, too, that He will be near to us, hear our prayers and answer them.

Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Your Son to save us.