Reading from the Book of Isaiah Is 49:3, 5-6
The LORD said to me: You are my servant,
Israel, through whom I show my glory.
Now the LORD has spoken
who formed me as his servant from the womb,
that Jacob may be brought back to him
and Israel gathered to him;
and I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD,
and my God is now my strength!
It is too little, the LORD says, for you to be my servant,
to raise up the tribes of Jacob,
and restore the survivors of Israel;
I will make you a light to the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm PS 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
I have waited, waited for the LORD,
and he stooped toward me and heard my cry.
And he put a new song into my mouth,
a hymn to our God.
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
Sacrifice or offering you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, “Behold I come.”
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
“In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
to do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!”
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
Second Reading
Reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians 1 Cor 1:1-3
Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
and Sosthenes our brother,
to the church of God that is in Corinth,
to you who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy,
with all those everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Jn 1:14a, 12a
The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.
To those who accepted him,
he gave power to become children of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia
Gospel
P: The Lord be with you.
P: A reading from the holy Gospel according to John Jn 1:29-34
John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said,
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
He is the one of whom I said,
‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.’
I did not know him,
but the reason why I came baptizing with water
was that he might be made known to Israel.”
John testified further, saying,
“I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven
and remain upon him.
I did not know him,
but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me,
‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain,
he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
BIDDING PRAYERS:
Let us call on the name of Christ asking for grace and peace.
Our response today is, “Christ Jesus, hear our prayer.”
- For the church consecrated for service on behalf of the reign of heaven; may it witness to Christ, the Lamb of God, as the source of universal salvation. We pray: “Christ Jesus, hear our prayer.”
- For those who help others rebuild lives devastated by tragedy and disaster; may the kindness and goodwill of so many be an inspiration to all. We pray: “Christ Jesus, hear our prayer.”
- For engaged couples; may the Spirit guide all who are preparing for the sacrament of marriage. We pray: “Christ Jesus, hear our prayer.”
- For developmentally disadvantaged persons; may the Spirit of God provide them with every special grace and blessing. We pray: “Christ Jesus, hear our prayer.”
Gracious God, receive our prayers and help us to live as your holy people. We ask this in Jesus’ name.
