Let us pray with today’s Gospel Reading (Matthew 3:13-17) as we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord:

God Our Father, As we celebrate this Feast of the Baptism of the Lord we stand with Jesus at the waters of the Jordan, where the heavens were opened and Your voice was heard in love.

We praise You for revealing Your Son, the Beloved, in whom You are well pleased, as the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove. In this sacred moment, You showed us the path of humility, obedience, and self-giving love.

Lord Jesus, You entered the waters not for Your own sake but to sanctify them for us. Through Your Baptism, You embraced our humanity and opened for us the way to new life. Renew in us the grace of our own Baptism, that we may remember who we are, children of God, washed, chosen, and sent.

Holy Spirit, descend upon us anew. Strengthen us to live our baptismal identity with courage, to reject sin, to walk in the light, and to bear witness to Christ in word and deed, especially in a world thirsting for hope and truth.

As we begin our journey in Ordinary Time, Lord, help us to live the extraordinary call of our Baptism, to be instruments of peace, servants of justice, and signs of Your love in the world. Amen