The Baptism of the Lord, January 10, 2021

The Baptism of the Lord, January 10, 2021

On this day when we commemorate the Baptism of Jesus by John in the desert, we come to the Father as baptized people asking for the grace to live confidently and unafraid knowing that God is our savior.    

1. That all members of the Church will recall the day of our own baptisms and be recommitted to the faith sought for us as we came through the waters.  We pray to the Lord.
2. That all people will recognize that God shows no partiality and will seek the healing of Jesus from all evils and oppressions of the devil that divide nations, races, and creeds.  We pray to the Lord. 
3. That those who thirst may come to the water and those who hunger may receive grain and eat as the wealthy recognize that their possessions do not satisfy, and the poor may have life.  We pray to the Lord. 
4. That in these days when so many are suffering from violence, disease, and separation, we may turn to the Lord for mercy, seek the Lord while he may be found, and call him while he is near.  We pray to the Lord.
5. That we may share in the humility of John the Baptist who, despite the attention that he garnered and the wisdom he proclaimed, recognized his unworthiness to even stoop before Jesus and loosen his sandal strap.  We pray to the Lord.
6. That we may know the touch of the Lord who grasps our hands so that we may be a light for the nations that opens the eyes of the blind, releases those imprisoned from confinement, and sheds light on those who live in darkness.  We pray to the Lord.
7. That we may hear the voice of the Father declaring that Jesus is his beloved Son, the one with whom He is well pleased, and be moved to align our hopes, desires, and actions with the truths proclaimed by Jesus in the Gospels.  We pray to the Lord. 
8. That as Fr. Christopher and each of us has come down from the heavens, just as the rain and snow to water the earth, we may strive together to make this world fertile land for the growth of faith so that God’s word may not return to him void but will achieve the end for which it has been sent.  We pray to the Lord.
9. That as the liturgical year moves into Ordinary Time when we hear of Jesus’ ministry through the Gospel of Mark, may the joy of the Christmas season be undimmed as told in the stories of Jesus’ incarnation, his membership in a holy family, his epiphany to the whole world, and his baptism when the dove descended upon him as God’s beloved Son.  We pray to the Lord.
10. That people of all nations will soon receive relief from the burdens of the covid pandemic and will join together in mutual support, trust, and understanding to mitigate the lasting effects of this disease and be renewed in commitment to building a better world.  We pray to the Lord.
11. That the members of the 117th Congress, sworn in last Sunday, may labor tirelessly that all may have life, find liberty, and be able to pursue happiness in a land of opportunity.  We pray to the Lord.
12. That our elected leaders and the citizens of our country may be strong in supporting the principles of democracy and freedom as part of a peaceful transition of the leadership of our country.  We pray to the Lord.
13. That scoundrels and the wicked may forsake their ways and turn to the Lord for mercy recognizing that their thoughts are not God’s thoughts and their ways are not God’s ways. We pray to the Lord.  
14. That those who are ill, and those who work to serve the sick, may not be exhausted or discouraged as they struggle but will be aided by God’s grace and the support of friends, family, and employers.  We pray to the Lord.
15. That those who have died may be embraced by God, who is generous and forgiving, as they enter into the fullness of eternal life initiated at their baptism.  We pray to the Lord.

O God as we celebrate the baptism of your Son, we offer thanksgiving for the life-giving waters of our own baptisms.  May that water strengthen us to obey your commandments so that our faith may overcome the trials we encounter and acclaim your name to all the world.  We make our prayers through Christ our Lord.  Amen.