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Gospel for the The Baptism of the Lord

January 10, 2027 · Mark 1:7-11

You are my beloved Son

The Baptism of the Lord ends the Christmas season. Jesus is baptized, and the Father’s voice says that he is his beloved Son. Mark 1:7-11

Liturgical color: white

This Sunday’s Gospel, in everyday words

John announced that one mightier than he was coming after him. John was not worthy even to untie his sandals. Mark 1:7

He said that he baptized with water, but the one who was coming would baptize with the Holy Spirit. Mark 1:8

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan. Mark 1:9

As he came up out of the water, Jesus saw the heavens torn open and the Spirit coming down upon him like a dove. Mark 1:10

And a voice came from heaven: it said that Jesus was his beloved Son, with whom he was well pleased. Mark 1:11

What the Bible says

Mark 1:7-11

7And he preached, saying: There cometh after me one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. 8I have baptized you with water; but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. 9And it came to pass, in those days, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10And forthwith coming up out of he water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit as a dove descending, and remaining on him. 11And there came a voice from heaven: Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

The other readings at Mass

First Reading

God presents his servant, his chosen one. He will not quench a smoldering wick, and he will be a light for the nations. Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7

Responsorial Psalm

The voice of the Lord is over the waters. The Lord blesses his people with peace. Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10

Second Reading

Peter proclaims that God shows no partiality. He anointed Jesus with the Spirit, and Jesus went about doing good. Acts 10:34-38

The full readings for this day, from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: bible.usccb.org

What the Church teaches

The baptism of Jesus

Jesus’ public life begins with his baptism in the Jordan.

Catechism 535

Our baptism

Baptism makes us adopted children of God, members of Christ, and temples of the Holy Spirit.

Catechism 1265

The color white

It is a feast of the Lord: the priest wears white.

General Instruction of the Roman Missal 346

To read with your children

Jesus went to the Jordan River, where John was. Mark 1:9

John baptized Jesus in the river. Mark 1:9

The Holy Spirit came down like a dove. Mark 1:10

A voice from heaven said that Jesus was his beloved Son. Mark 1:11

On the day of your baptism, you became a child of God too.

To talk about as a family

  1. Do you know the date of your baptism? Who were your godparents?
  2. The Father’s voice calls Jesus his “beloved Son.” How do we feel knowing that God loves us like that?
  3. For the child: would you like to see the pictures from your baptism?

This week

This week, look together for each person’s baptism pictures or baptism date. On that day, light a candle and give thanks.

To pray

God our Father, in baptism you made us your children. May your Holy Spirit always be with us, and may we live as your beloved children. Amen.

Who is in it?