LỄ CHÚA GIÊSU CHỊU PHÉP RỬA
THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
Mc 1, 7-11



Khi ấy, Gioan rao giảng rằng: "Có Đấng đến sau tôi, nhưng quyền lực hơn tôi, tôi không xứng đáng cúi xuống cởi dây giày cho Người. Phần tôi, tôi đã rửa anh em trong nước, nhưng Người, Người sẽ rửa anh em trong Thánh Thần."

This is what John the Baptist proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water;
he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”



Và đã xảy ra là trong những ngày đó, Chúa Giêsu từ Nadarét xứ Galilêa đến và chịu phép rửa bởi Gioan ở sông Giođan. Khi vừa lên khỏi nước, Người liền thấy trời mở ra, thấy Thánh Thần như chim bồ câu ngự xuống trên mình. Và có tiếng từ trời phán: "Con là Con yêu dấu của Cha, Con đẹp lòng Cha".


It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”



HÌNH TÔ MÀU - COLORING IMAGES
Bấm vào hình nhỏ để thấy hình lớn. Click on the small images to view the larger images.

Image 01



Image 02



Image 03




THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD

Readings

Is 55:1-11

1Jn 5:1-9

Mk 2:7-11

Questions for reflection

1. Why did Jesus submit himself to John’s baptism?

2. Do you know the joy of trust and submission to God?

3. How can we enter into the mystery of Jesus’ humble self-abasement and baptism?

4. Do you want to see your life transformed by God’s grace?

5. Do you want to be an effective instrument of the gospel?

Reflection

Today’s Gospel reading reminds us of our own baptism. Why did Jesus ask John for baptism? Baptism is for the forgiveness of sins and Jesus did not need forgiveness. Jesus insisted on being baptized showing us his humility. All of Jesus’ followers would be baptized and so Jesus too wanted to be baptized to show his unity with all of us. What difference does baptism make to us? When Jesus was baptized the Father spoke and said, “You are my Son, the beloved; my favor rests on you.” When we are baptized the Father says over each of us, “You are my son/daughter, my beloved; my favor rests on you.” Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit when he was baptized in the Jordan and we are anointed with the oil of chrism during our baptism and like Jesus we receive the Holy Spirit also. In our baptism, we are freed from sin precisely because in his baptism Jesus took to himself the suffering and sinfulness of the world. Jesus other “baptism” is when he gives his life for the sake of us all; he strips away all sin and nails it to the cross. Through this “baptism” he empowers the sacraments to be signs of his salvation among us.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit and inflame my heart with the joy of the gospel. May I find joy in seeking to please you as you found joy in seeking to the will of your Father. Amen.

Thánh Linh