Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan, unto John, to be baptized by him. But John stayed him, saying: I ought to be baptized by thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering, said to him: Suffer it to be so now. For so it becometh us to fulfill all justice. Then he suffered him. And Jesus being baptized, forthwith came out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened to him: and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him. And behold a voice from heaven, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Matthew 3:13-17 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father your servant John felt the power of your Son and knew it was Him that should baptize instead. But our dearest Jesus requested that for this one time, John should do it. Jesus has obeyed you in all things and he asked the same of John. Do we obey Jesus when he asks us to do His Will as well as do yours. His obedience showed us how pleased you were when he did your Will. To think that you spoke from heaven for all those present to hear you and it recorded for all time, so it could be established the fact that Jesus is your beloved Son. What you would do for us to help us realize we are just as important to you as Jesus. You give us a cleansing by our baptism and free us from original sin from the very source of life, the water that purifies, cleanses and nourishes in many ways. May we find the water we use daily a reminder of our baptism and the source that it comes from the very Throne of God and the Lamb. Amen

After these things Jesus and his disciples came into the land of Judea: and there he abode with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Ennon near Salim; because there was much water there; and they came and were baptized. For John was not yet cast into prison. And there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews concerning purification: And they came to John, and said to him: Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou gavest testimony, behold he baptizeth, and all men come to him. John answered, and said: A man cannot receive any thing, unless it be given him from heaven. You yourselves do bear me witness, that I said, I am not Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride, is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, who standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth with joy because of the bridegroom's voice. This my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:22-30 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father what a beautiful way to know that when Jesus is with us and part of us we must decrease while he increases. How true your disciple John spoke of the bride and the bridegroom, his joy was fulfilled. And so too ours when we place your Son in our lives and let Him increase while our desires decrease. We too will will find joy then. We have your Word to live by and the testimony of the many who lived and witnessed the divinity of Jesus for us to know you. What true words have been spoken and I for one realize the truth of them. How in my faith, Jesus becomes ever greater and more present in my life, this is increase and also that of doing your will. While my wants and desires for what this life can give decreases. I must become small while your Son becomes great in my life. I am not important but He is. And this is as it should be. After all, you do take care of us and our needs, not our wants but what is needed in our life and faith is the greatest need for many to come to know and love you so they too can decrease while your Son increases in their lives. Amen

Jesus said to his disciples:
“You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father.”
Matthew 5:13-16

Prayer

Dear Father thank you for giving us Jesus who truly is the salt of the earth and the light of the world for us. But in today's reading he tells the disciples they are the salt and light of the world. Where they are to preserve his Word and not hide his Word from the world and to let others see the good in them. The deeds done for the Kingdom of God. What good are we if we hide behind walls and doors and do not show the love in us given by God. Why would we want to hide a light that shines brightly so others will not see it. Heavenly Father let us shine your light for the world to see, that what good deeds we have done may show others the meaning of love lived in you. May we share the Good News the light of the world in places of darkness that light may spread and glorify your most Holy Name. Amen

As Jesus was teaching in the temple area he said,
“How do the scribes claim that the Christ is the son of David?
David himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said:

The Lord said to my lord,
‘Sit at my right hand
until I place your enemies under your feet.’

David himself calls him ‘lord’;
so how is he his son?”
The great crowd heard this with delight.
Mark 12:35-37

Prayer

Dear Father through the Holy Spirit it was revealed long ago through David that Jesus is your Son. There is no doubt of this with all the works that have been done. We are the ones who read of this account and come to believe and rejoice. It is our delight that Jesus is the Son of God, who comes to us to clear our eyes. With faith we see your hand in all things that belong to you. Your Word handed down to us to reveal your Sons divinity and your love for us. It is this love that we come to know how to love you and love others and most especially to love your Son. May our day be filled with a sense of renewal in our faith, in our love. Amen

When it was evening, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea,
embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum.
It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.
The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing.
When they had rowed about three or four miles,
they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat,
and they began to be afraid.
But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.”
They wanted to take him into the boat,
but the boat immediately arrived at the shore
to which they were heading.
John 6:16-21

Prayer

Dear Father through your son you are teaching us an important lesson, one of deep faith. Jesus says to his apostles "It is I. Do not be afraid," and often we are when our own lives are in turmoil. It is then you call out to us not to be afraid, for you are near as you lead us to safety as you did that day when the apostles were afraid. Look how they arrived at the shore, miraculously. How blessed we are when we are not afraid and let you lead us by the hand in our daily life. May our prayers lessen the turmoil and bring peace to the tumult that comes and goes, just as the waves of the sea do. May our hearts be filled with an unshakable faith. Amen