1. ACCLAMATIONS 1. Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. (M, F.) 2. Dying you destroyed our death, Rising you restored our life, Lord Jesus, Come in Glory. (Tues) 3. When we eat of this bread, and drink of His cup (wine), we proclaim your death until you come in glory. (Wed) 4. By your cross and resurrection, you have set us free, you are the savior of the world. (Thurs.)

2. JESUS’ BAPTISM

3. Objectives: D:understand the role of John the Baptist in the life of Jesus; M:enumerate ways to be always ready for the coming of Christ; W:renew their baptismal promises.

4. Who introduced Jesus to you? Recall the very first person who introduced Jesus to you. Write a short paragraph on how this happened

5. Sacred Scripture: Mark 1:2-8 John the Baptist- prophet messenger described in the Book of Isaiah “ Behold, I am sending My messenger ahead of You; he will prepare your way A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths”

6. John lived what he preached, repentance and change in heart in preparation for the coming of the Messiah. “One mightier than I is a coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of His sandals. I have baptized you with water; He will baptized you with the HOLY SPIRIT”

7. John  precursor of Jesus  his task was more than merely introducing Jesus to the people of his time;  He helped them to be ready for Jesus’ coming

8. Church Teaching: CFC, 1616 “ We know that John the Baptist’s baptism was not a Christian sacrament, but a baptism of repentance, ushering in the new age of the coming of the Messiah. Jesus came to be baptized by John as a sign that He is the new age in person”

9. John’s baptism- was of repentance defined as a purification from sins in order to be ready for the coming of the “ANOINTED ONE”, the MESSIAH meant for the sinners who desire to have a change of heart “METANOIA” John’s baptism- was not a sacrament, we hold that it is not one of the 7 sacraments instituted by Christ. John’s baptism ushered in the coming of the Messiah; our Christian Baptism is an entry into the BODY OF CHRIST

10. D:John the Baptist is the precursor of Jesus. He is the prophet proclaimed by Isaiah, the one who would go before to prepare Israel for the coming of the Messiah. M:John the Baptist lived what he preached: Repent your sins to prepare for the coming of the Messiah. His life is the best example of one who is ready for the coming of the Messiah. W:John the Baptist’s life of witnessing to the coming of the Messiah helps us to pray for the coming of Christ our Lord

11. Summary John the Baptist prepared the people of his time for the coming of the Messiah. He preached the coming of the One mightier than himself and he inspired his hearers to receive his baptism of repentance in order to be ready for the coming of the Messiah.

12. Summary His very life speaks of the message of preaching. He is certain of his identity and mission and ready to face anything, even death. He was ordered to be killed by Herod because of the way he spoke against Herod’s living with his brother’s wife.

13. Summary John’s baptism is different from the baptism that we received as infants. His was a baptism of repentance for those who publicly acknowledged their sinfulness and sought for a change of heart.