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Presider’s Page for 10 January (Baptism of the Lord)

OPENING COMMENT
Today we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of the Lord: it’s the last day of the Christmas season. The baptism of Jesus marked the end of his quiet years in Nazareth and the start of his public ministry.

Penitential Rite: BLESSING OF WATER
Brothers and sisters,
let us invoke and bless the name of God the all-holy,
that this water may be for us
a sign of the new life in Christ,
which in baptism we have all received.
Pause, then:
Lord God almighty,
fountain and wellspring of all life,
we ask you to bless + this water.
With trust in you
we use it to beg forgiveness of our sins
and to seek the protection of your grace
against illness and the snares of the enemy.
In your mercy, O Lord, give us the living water
that wells up as a spring of salvation,
that we may avoid all dangers to body and soul
and enter your presence with hearts made clean.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Water is springled. Opening Prayer follows.)
OR
Penitential Rite: LITANY OF PRAISE
To begin, let us recall the areas of darkness in our own lives, made visible by God’s healing light: (Pause)
You raise the dead to life in the Spirit: Lord, have mercy.
You bring pardon and peace to the sinner: Christ, have mercy.
You bring light to those in darkness: Lord, have mercy.

Alternative OPENING PRAYER (from the 1998 ICEL Missal)
Open the heavens,
almighty Father,
and pour out your Spirit
upon your people gathered in prayer.
Renew the power of our baptismal cleansing
and fill us with zeal for good deeds.
Let us hear your voice once again,
that we may recognise in your beloved Son
our hope of inheriting eternal life.
Grant this through Jesus Christ, your Word made flesh,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
in the splendour of eternal light, God for ever and ever.

Introduction to the Scripture Readings  
Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 The Church believes Isaiah’s words refer to Jesus, the true shepherd: he  is ‘the glory of the Lord’
Titus 2:11-14, 3:4-7 Salvation is possible for all people, because of God’s great compassion, which we see in the gift of baptism.
Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 The events celebrated in today’s feast are described in the Gospel, as St Luke described them

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) Sisters and brothers, let us bring our needs to God, whose Spirit renews the face of the earth.

  1. For all the baptised, that they may take their Christian commitment seriously (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
  2. For young people preparing for Confirmation this year, that their faith may grow as they await the Spirit’s gifts (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
  3. For all the adult members of this community, that they may be good examples of faith to young people (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
  4. For newborn babies, and all who will soon be baptised, that their parents will teach them how to be good Christians (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
  5. For expectant mothers, and parents hoping for a baby, that their dream of a healthy child may become a reality (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
  6. For all the people suffering as a result of this winter’s floods, that they may be given the help they need to rebuild their lives (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.

The presider prays for the dead: For our friends and relatives who have gone before us in faith (especially N and N), that they may pass from death to life (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) Loving God, your creative Spirit renews humanity and sustains us always: hear our prayers and continue to support us by your grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Lord,
accept the gifts of your faithful people,
presented on this day
when Jesus was proclaimed your beloved Son.
Let our offering become the sacrifice of him
who has washed away the sins of the world
and who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

PREFACE (Baptism of the Lord)
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God.
In the waters of the Jordan
you revealed a new baptism
through signs and wonders:
a voice came down from heaven
to waken our faith in your Word dwelling among us;
your Spirit descended as a dove
to make it known that Christ, your servant,
was anointed with the oil of gladness
and was sent to preach the good news to the poor.
With joyful hearts we echo on earth
the song of the angels in heaven
as they praise your glory without end: Holy, holy, holy……

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Refreshed by these holy gifts, Lord God,
we seek your mercy,
that, by listening faithfully to your only Son,
we may be your children in name and in truth.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.

Songs at Mass (Suggestions) Christmas carols; Here I am, Lord; God’s Spirit is in my heart; Holy God We Praise Thy Name.

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