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Scriptures for the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord

Isaiah 42: 1-4; 6-7; Psalm 29; Acts 10: 34-38; Mark 1: 7-11

In the first reading from Isaiah, the prophet anticipates the Baptism of the Lord as God says, “Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am well pleased.” This is echoed at the end of today’s Gospel from Mark as God proclaims to and of Jesus, “You are my beloved son; with you I am well pleased.”

All of the readings on this Sunday of the Baptism of the Lord, speak to the glory of the Holy Trinity — “the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” As stewards of the faith, we must strive to understand and appreciate the meaning and significance of that Trinity.

Recall that Isaiah was writing some six centuries before the birth of Christ; yet that prophet anticipates and predicts much of what are to learn and realize in the New Testament. Our Old Testament reading on this day falls into the genre of what are popularly called “Servant Songs” (The Songs of the Suffering Servant in Catholic lexicons). In fact, this reading represents the first of the Servant Songs. We are challenged to reflect upon suffering and Christ and salvation within this beautiful poem. Although we understand that suffering is part of life for all of us, it can never match the trials undergone by our Lord and Savior. We, too, are called to be servants of the Lord, and although much less is asked of us than was of Jesus, if we hope to accomplish even in some small way our calling, lives of stewardship provide the best means.

St. Peter, even though he may have faltered at times, and even though he may have been scolded by the Lord occasionally, seized the magnitude of what happened, and he as much as anyone put it in an outlook which means as much to us today as it did to those he was addressing at the house of Cornelius in our second reading from the Acts of the Apostles. In his presentation to those gathered, and to us, Peter declares “Whoever fears him (the Lord) and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.” This reinforces Peter and Paul’s messages to the Gentiles that salvation is for everyone regardless of background. Peter was well prepared to deliver his message, and those listening were well prepared to hear it. How prepared are we? When the Word of God is proclaimed, we must discipline ourselves to prepare to hear it. It is not just the Word, but our ability to assimilate that Word into our lives.

The Gospel from Mark supports the reference to “servant” found in the first reading. In Revelation reference is made to the cherubim found around the throne of God, and they have four faces: a lion, an oxen calf, a human, and an eagle. Through the centuries the Church has taken those symbols and applied them to the Four Gospels. The symbol applied to St. Mark is the oxen, an animal of work and service. In many ways Mark emphasizes the works of Jesus more than the words of Jesus. It is this call to service that we find in our own summons to lives of stewardship. St. John the Baptist reminds us that we, too, have received the Holy Spirit through Baptism. Stewardship is our response to that charge, that invitation to discipleship.

Readings for the Week of the Baptism of the Lord

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord: Isaiah 55: 1-11;! John 5: 1-9; Mark 1: 7-11.: Isaiah 60: 1-6; Ephesians 3: 2-3a, 5-6; Matthew 2: 1-12.

Monday: Hebrews 1: 1-16; Mark 1: 14-20.
Tuesday: Hebrews: 2: 5-12; Mark 1: 21-28.
Wednesday: Hebrews 2: 14-18; Mark 1: 20-39.
Thursday: Hebrews 3: 7-14; Mark 1: 40-45.
Friday: Hebrews 4: 1-5, 11; Mark 2: 1-12.
Saturday: Hebrews 4: 12-16; Mark 2: 13-17.
Next Sunday: The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time: 1 Samuel 3: 3b-10, 19; 1 Corinthians 6: 13c-14a, 17-20; John 1: 35-42.

New Parish Office Hours

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
9 am to 3 pm
Wednesday
9 am to 12 noon
Saturday & Sunday
9 am to 1 pm

Confessions Times
Monday through Friday
9 am to 9:30 am
Saturday
4 pm to 4:30 pm

Understanding Depression. The OLM Wellness Committee invites you to view a video featuring committee members and expert guests as they discuss depression and depressive symptoms. (Click here)

Flu Vaccine Q&A with Drs. Norie and Rey Ramos

Watch “Stress: A Discussion.” A series by OLM Wellness Ministry, Episode 2 | Episode 1


WELLNESS WEDNESDAY

To help keep you all moving, the OLM Wellness Ministry will be sharing exercise videos on Wednesdays that will help guide you through some exercises that you can do at home. (Watch the second video here). If you missed the first one, it’s here.

UPLIFTuesday

Shiloh Guanlao | Tiffany Liora Velarde | JJ Ohri | Jedrik Digao | Margarette Rivera | Alexandre Lewis Cheng | Kyle Arano | (Joachim Dalloran) | Mikaela Christie Catuncan | Rafael Reyes | Ysabelle Baculod | Zachary Zulueta| Julz Balbutin | Evan and Lauren Nguyen | Bridget Benoit | Gelayne Lim | Alyssa Bacay | Emily Gocon | Justin Nguyen | Tiffany Esteban

Our Lives At This Time

Previous Posts: Alain Aldea | Rey Ramos | Lambert Pitao | Angel Juan | Michael Rivera | Bobby del Rosario | Dominic Rivera | Jayvee Dacasin | Annjo Balbutin | Julie Nguyen | John Flora | Gigi Macalintal | Tina Lanting | Regina ‘Jeng’ Matias-Villa

Care For All God’s Creation

(The following reflection was written by Cardinal Tobin. It appeared in the September 11, 2020 issue of Rejoice in the Lord. The full text is available at www.rcan.org.)

Faith Formation

Faith Alive @ Home! A guide to family worship and family faith fun! (Click here)

The OLM Mission Statement

We, the faith community of Our Lady of Mercy Parish, joyfully and humbly seek to make our Lord Jesus Christ ever more real in our lives and in the lives of all people. We enliven our Mission by a commitment to Stewardship as a Way of Life. We strive to pursue our mission by being a welcoming community that provides a home for all and celebrates life, hope and reconciliation through WORD, WORSHIP and SERVICE.

Stewardship of Treasure: November 22, 2020

Thank you so much for your generosity.
December 13 Collection = $5,162

Thank you so much for your generosity and support!

Four Ways To Support Your Parish
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Mass Schedule

WE HAVE RETURNED TO OUR USUAL DAILY MASS SCHEDULE

Monday through Friday 7:00 am & 8:30 am
Saturday 8:30 am

Saturday 5:00 pm
Sunday 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 12:00 noon

OLM MASSES ARE LIVESTREAMED
Sundays at 10 am
Monday – Saturday at 8:30 am
Go to olmnj.org and click on Facebook l Livestream

Our Lady of Mercy Roman Catholic Church • 40 Sullivan Drive, Jersey City, NJ 07305 • Phone: 201-434-7500