First Reading A reading from the prophet Isaiah Ref: Is 42:1-4.6-7

The description Isaiah gives of the Suffering Servant is one that is fulfilled in the person and the mission of Jesus; one who brings justice or knowledge of the true God; with the qualities of meekness, patience and mercy; the one who brings salvation and establishes a new covenant between god and his people.

Thus says the Lord: Here is my servant whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom my soul delights. I have endowed him with my spirit that he may bring true justice to the nations. He does not cry out or shout aloud, or make his voice heard in the streets. He does nor break the crushed reed, nor quench the wavering flame. Faithfully he brings true justice; he will neither waver nor be crushed until true justice is established on earth, for the islands are awaiting his law. I, the Lord, have called you to serve the cause of right; I have taken you by the hand and formed you; I have appointed you as covenant of the people and light of the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, top free captives from prison, and those who live in darkness from dungeon.

This is the word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm

This psalm, which may originally have been adapted from a pagan hymn, "The voice of the Lord upon the waters" suggest a voice from heaven at the baptism of Jesus.

(R) The Lord will bless his people with peace.

O give the Lord you sons of God,
give the Lord glory and power;
give the Lord the glory of his name.
Adore the Lord in his holy court. (R)

The Lord's voice resounding on the waters,
the Lord on the immensity of waters;
the voice of the Lord, full of power,
the voice of the Lord, full of splendour. (R)

The God of glory and thunders.
In his temple they all cry: "Glory!"
The Lord sat enthroned over the flood;
the Lord sits as king forever. (R)

Second Reading A reading from the Acts of the Apostles Ref: Ac 10:34-38

Here Peter is preaching to a non-Jewish audience and wants to make clear that god has extended salvation to all peoples. He point to the presence of god in Jesus, in his teaching and in his good works. This presence was make clear at His baptism.

Peter addressed Cornelius and his household: 'The truth I have now come to realise' he said 'is that God does not have favourites, but that anybody of any nationality who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him.
'It is true, God sent his word to the people of Israel, and it was to them that the good news of peace was brought by Jesus Christ - but Jesus Christ is lord of all men. You must have heard about the recent happenings in Judaea; about Jesus of Nazareth and how he began in Galilee, after John had been preaching baptism. God had anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and because God was with him, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil.'

This is the word of the Lord.
Gospel A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew Ref: Mt 3:13-17

In Matthews short account of the baptism of Jesus the emphasis is on Jesus as the Son of God, more than the baptism. The coming of the Holy Spirit seals the mission of Jesus with divine approval. In this we see an echo of our own baptism, celebrated in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and making us adopted children of God.

Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John. John tried to dissuade him. 'It is I who need baptism from you,' he said, 'and yet you come to me!' But Jesus replies, 'Leave it like this for the time being; it is fitting that we should in this way, do all the righteousness demands.' At this, John gave in to him.
As soon as Jesus was baptised he came up from the water, and suddenly the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. And a voice spoke from heaven, 'This is my Son, the beloved; my favour rests on him.'

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Canovee GAA Underage AGM Tues 11th Jan at 8pm in Canovee School. All welcome

Get fit for the New Year: Aerobics Tues 8.15pm, Pilates Thurs 7.15pm and Body conditioning Thurs 8.15pm. Cloughduv GAA Hall. Contact Gillian 087 809 6652 to book.