January 13 BAPTISM OF OUR LORD; OCTAVE DAY OF THE EPIPHANY

January 13

COMMEMORATION OF THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD

OCTAVE DAY OF THE EPIPHANY

The Christ Child was manifested to the wise men from the East as the king of the world, the ruler of all nations. The mature God-man opens His public ministry with the manifestation of His divinity on the shore of the Jordan River.

The Sacrament of Baptism, prefigured by the baptism of John, incorporates us into union with God. Adopted as sons and made co-heirs of heaven through Baptism and the Holy Spirit, we begin our mission as followers of Christ. Our own lives must echo the words of the forerunner of Christ: "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

Introit
Mal 3:1:1; Par. 29:12
Behold, the Lord and Ruler is come; and the kingdom is in His hand, and power, and dominion.
Ps 71:1
O God, with Your judgment endow the King, and with Your justice, the King’s Son.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Behold, the Lord and Ruler is come; and the kingdom is in His hand, and power, and dominion. 

Mass of the feast of the EPIPHANY except

COLLECT

O God, Your only-begotten Son appeared in the substance of our flesh. May He who outwardly was like us, change us interiorly; who lives and rules with You . . .

Lesson
Lesson from the book of Isaias
Isa 60:1-6
Rise up in splendor, O Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the Lord shines, and over you appears His glory. Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance. Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you: your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses. Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you. Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Madian and Epha; all from Saba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.

Gradual
Isa 60:6, 1.
All they from Saba shall come, bringing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the Lord.
V. Rise up in splendor, O Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord shines upon you. Alleluia, alleluia.
Matt 2:2
V. We have seen His star in the East: and have come with gifts to worship the Lord. Alleluia.

GOSPEL (John 1:29-34)

At that time, John saw Jesus coming to him; and he saith: "Behold the Lamb of God. Behold him who taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said: 'After me there cometh a man, who is preferred before me: because he was before me.' And I knew him not: but that he may be made manifest in Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water." And John gave testimony, saying: "I saw the Spirit coming down, as a dove from heaven; and he remained upon him. And I knew him not: but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me: 'He upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining upon him, he it is that baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.' And I saw: and I gave testimony that this is the Son of God."

Offertory
Ps 71:10-11
The kings of Tharsis and the Isles shall offer gifts; the kings of Arabia and Saba shall bring tribute. All kings shall pay Him homage, all nations shall serve Him. 

SECRET

We celebrate the manifestation of Your new-born Son with these offerings, O Lord. we humbly beg that Jesus Christ, our Lord, who created them, will mercifully accept them from us; who lives and rules with You . . .

Communion
Matt 2:2
We have seen His star in the East and have come with gifts to worship the Lord.

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord, guide us always and everywhere with Your light from above so that we may clearly appreciate this Sacrament. You have allowed us to share in It; may we always receive It worthily. Through Our Lord . . .