In the waters of the Jordan, Jesus is revealed as the beloved Son of God. Through this great epiphany, Jesus fulfills all righteousness and becomes the servant of God who will bring forth justice and be a light to the nations. In the waters of baptism we too are washed by the Word, anointed by the Spirit, and named God’s beloved children. Our baptismal mission is to proclaim good news to all who are oppressed or in need of God’s healing.

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READING: Isaiah 42:1-9

1 Here is my servant, whom I uphold,

  my chosen, in whom my soul delights;

 I have put my spirit upon him;

  he will bring forth justice to the nations.

 2 He will not cry out or lift up his voice

  or make it heard in the street;

 3 a bruised reed he will not break,

  and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;

  he will faithfully bring forth justice.

 4 He will not grow faint or be crushed

  until he has established justice in the earth,

  and the coastlands wait for his teaching.

 5 Thus says God, the Lord,

  who created the heavens and stretched them out,

  who spread out the earth and what comes from it,

 who gives breath to the people upon it

  and spirit to those who walk in it:

 6 I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness;

  I have taken you by the hand and kept you;

 I have given you as a covenant to the people,

  a light to the nations,

  7 to open the eyes that are blind,

 to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,

  from the prison those who sit in darkness.

 8 I am the Lord; that is my name;

  my glory I give to no other,

  nor my praise to idols.

 9 See, the former things have come to pass,

  and new things I now declare;

 before they spring forth,

  I tell you of them.

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GOSPEL:  Matthew 3:13-17

13 Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw God’s Spirit descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from the heavens said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”