MASS READINGS FOR 12.01.2025
THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
First reading
Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11
‘Prepare the way of the Lord.’
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her
that her warfare is ended,
that her iniquity is pardoned,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
double for all her sins.
A voice cries:
‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’
Go on up to a high mountain,
O Sion, herald of good news;
lift up your voice with strength,
O Jerusalem, herald of good news;
lift it up, fear not;
say to the cities of Judah,
‘Behold your God!’
Behold, the Lord God comes with might,
and his arm rules for him;
behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.
He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead those that are with young.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 104(103):1b-2. 3-4. 24-25. 27-28. 29-30. ℟1
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
My God, how great you are!
O Lord my God, how great you are,
clothed in majesty and honour,
wrapped in light as with a robe!
You stretch out the heavens like a tent.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
My God, how great you are!
On the waters you lay the foundation for your dwelling.
You make the clouds your chariot;
you ride on the wings of the wind.
You make the winds your messengers,
flame and fire your servants.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
My God, how great you are!
How many are your works, O Lord!
In wisdom you have made them all.
The earth is full of your creatures.
Vast and wide is the span of the sea,
with its creeping things past counting,
living things great and small.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
My God, how great you are!
All of these look to you
to give them their food in due season.
You give it, they gather it up;
you open wide your hand, they are well filled.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
My God, how great you are!
You hide your face, they are dismayed;
you take away their breath, they die,
returning to the dust from which they came.
You send forth your spirit, and they are created,
and you renew the face of the earth.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
Second reading
Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7
‘He saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.’
Beloved: The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness, and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Gospel Acclamation Cf. Luke 3:16
Alleluia, alleluia.
He who is mightier than I is coming, said John.
He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Alleluia.
Gospel
Luke 3:15-16, 21-22
‘When Jesus had been baptised and was praying, the heavens were opened.’
At that time: As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, John answered them all, saying, ‘I baptise you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.’
Now when all the people were baptised by John the Baptist and when Jesus also had been baptised and was praying, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.’
