First reading
Baruch 5:1–9
God means to show your splendour to every nation.
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 125 (126)
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
Second reading
Philippians 1:4–6, 8–11
May you become pure and blameless in preparation for the day of Christ.
Gospel acclamation
Luke 3:4, 6
Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all people shall see the salvation of God.
Gospel
Luke 3:1–6
The call of John the Baptist.
Images from the Word
- Word of God
- Baptism of repentance
- Salvation of God
- Eyes to the east
- Day of Christ
Liturgical notes
God speaks to us in many ways: through the events in our lives, through our personal study of Scripture, in times of quiet prayer. But the liturgy is a privileged setting because it is there that we listen to God’s Word as part of the celebration that culminates in the sacrificial offering of Christ to the eternal Father.
—Homilectic Directory, §4
Every moment of living can be an encounter with the Divine if our hearts are attentive to God’s presence. We come to our Sunday celebration to deepen this attentive awareness of God’s presence and action in our lives. We come especially to be formed by God’s word and to offer the sacrifice of our faithful Christian living upon the altar of this celebration; we do this so that we may be graced by consecration to be caught up into the very sacrifice of Christ.
‘Jerusalem, arise and stand upon the heights, and behold the joy which comes to you from God.’
—communion antiphon