📖 **Mass Readings — Sunday, 11 January 2026
Feast: Baptism of the Lord (Year B)**
First Reading
➡️ Isaiah 42:1–4, 6–7
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I delight; I have put my spirit upon him.”
Responsorial Psalm
➡️ Psalm 29:1–2, 3–4, 9–10
“The Lord will bless his people with peace.”
Second Reading
➡️ Acts 10:34–38
Peter proclaims that God shows no partiality and that Jesus went about doing good and healing all with the Holy Spirit.
Alleluia Verse
➡️ Matthew 3:17 (cf. Mark 9:7)
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Gospel
➡️ Matthew 3:13–17
Jesus comes to John to be baptised; the Spirit descends, and a voice from heaven says: “This is my beloved Son.”
🙏 Opening Prayer
Almighty ever-living God,
who, when Christ had been baptized in the River Jordan
and as the Holy Spirit descended upon him,
solemnly declared him your beloved Son,
grant that your children by adoption, reborn of water and the Spirit,
may always be well pleasing to you.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
[This prayer recalls how at the Baptism of Jesus, the Father’s voice and the Spirit confirm Jesus’ identity. In our own baptism we too are claimed as beloved children of God.]
🕯️ Explanation & Reflection
💡 1. Baptism of the Lord — Why It Matters
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord celebrates Jesus entering the life of discipleship, not to be forgiven (He is sinless) but to identify with us and reveal His mission.
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In Isaiah, the chosen servant is gentle, just, and Spirit-filled — the portrait of Christ.
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Psalm 29 invites us to recognize God’s voice in all creation.
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Acts reminds us that the Good News is for all people because God shows no partiality.
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In Matthew, the Holy Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father’s voice affirms Jesus — signifying the beginning of his public mission.
🧠 Application to Life
This Sunday calls us to reflect on our own baptism:
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Identity: We are God’s beloved — do we live like it?
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Mission: Like Jesus, we are sent — how do we bring justice, healing, and peace into our world?
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Spirit-led living: Are we open to the Spirit’s guidance in everyday choices?
Consider a moment of silence after Mass to recall your baptism; or, if you are a catechumen preparing for baptism, reflect on how God is calling you into deeper life with Christ.
🙌 Closing Prayer
May almighty God bless you,
† the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
May he open your hearts to the Spirit’s life and lead you to be faithful witnesses of His love.
Amen.
📱 Links You Can Follow (for official texts / apps)
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Official Hong Kong / Singapore lectionary page (Mass readings archive) – catholic.sg (scroll for date)
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Catholic Gallery — Printable English readings (including first & second readings, psalm, Gospel)
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Catholic Online daily reading (Bible text) (with linked readings)
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Dynamic Catholic Mass Readings page (with formatted English readings)
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YouTube reading for 11 Jan 2026 (audio of readings)
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