First reading
Isaiah 42:1–4, 6–7
Here is my servant, in whom my soul delights.
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 28(29):1–4, 9–10
R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.
Second reading
Acts 10:34–38
God had anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit.
Gospel acclamation
cf. Mark 9:8
The heavens were opened and the Father’s voice was heard: this is my beloved Son, hear him.
Gospel
Matthew 3:13–17
‘This is my Son, the Beloved.’
Images from the Word
- You come to me
- Righteousness
- The Beloved
- Formed you
- God was with him
Liturgical notes
However because the celebration of the Eucharist, like the entire Liturgy, is carried out through perceptible signs that nourish, strengthen, and express faith,31 the utmost care must be taken to choose and to arrange those forms and elements set forth by the Church that, in view of the circumstances of the people and the place, will more effectively foster active and full participation and more properly respond to the spiritual needs of the faithful.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §20
The primary intention of the liturgical reform is that the holy people of God may take their rightful place in the celebration of the Mass as participants and not as spectators. In preparing our Sunday celebration, we need to reflect upon the many choices we make in preparing the liturgy so that we do not take for granted the impact of what we are doing.
‘After the Lord was baptized, the heavens were opened, and the Spirit descended upon him like a dove, and the voice of the Father thundered: This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’ —entrance antiphon