End of Advent Prayer for Sunday, January 11, 2009

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:
Father in heaven, you revealed Christ as your son by the voice that spoke over the waters of the Jordan.

May all who share in the sonship of Christ, follow in his path of service to man, and reflect the glory of his kingdomeven to the ends of the earth.

For he is Lord forever and ever.

Today's Readings:
Daily Meditation:
This is how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God, and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus. 1 John 3

"The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen." Mt. 4

Jesus comes down to the Jordan and, in a profound gesture, enters our lives even more dramatically: he humbles himself to be one with us in the waters of baptism. In these days after Epiphany, let us keep letting the light shine into the places of darkness within us and around us. And where we have seen and felt his enlightening, freeing presence, let us continue to rejoice with Christmas joy.

Today's Daily Reflection:
Intercessions:
Our redeemer desired to be baptized in the Jordan by John; let us make this prayer to him: Lord, have mercy.

Christ, you made your light shine on us by revealing yourself, grant us the spirit of humble service to all people.

Christ, you humbled yourself and received baptism from your servant to show us the way of humility, grant us the spirit of humble service to our fellow men.

Christ, through your baptism you cleansed us of every blemish and made us children of your father, bestow your spirit of adoption on all who see you.

Christ, through baptism you have consecrated creation and opened the door of repentance to all who prepare for baptism, make us servants of your Gospel in the world.

Christ, through your baptism you revealed to us the Holy Trinity when the Father called you his beloved Sonand the Holy Spirit came down upon you, renew the spirit of adoption among the royal priesthood of the baptized.

Closing Prayer:
Lord, this incredible season comes to an end todaybut not the joy I have discovered in these weeks.