The Baptism of the Lord

The feast of the Baptism of the Lord marks the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of ordinary time. On this day we remember when John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ in the Jordan river. This is a good day to think about our own baptism. What does it mean to be baptized? What impact does this have on my daily life?

Click on the appropriate year below to see resources, themes, homilies, games, lesson plans, and more for youth ministry, religious education, classrooms, and your home.

Mass Readings for the Baptism of the Lord Year A

• First Reading – Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7: “I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.”
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 29: “The Lord will bless his people with peace.”
• Second Reading – Acts 10:34-38: “You know the word that he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power.”
• Gospel – Matthew 3:13-1: “After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him.”

Mass Readings for the Baptism of the Lord Year B

• First Reading – Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7: “A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, until he establishes justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait for his teaching.”
• Alternate First Reading – Isaiah 55:1-11: “For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; my word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.”
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 29: “The Lord will bless his people with peace.”
• Alternate Responsorial Psalm – Isaiah 12: “You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.”
• Second Reading – Acts 10:34-38: “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality.Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.”
• Alternate Second Reading – 1 John 5:1-9: “This is the one who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ, not by water alone, but by water and blood. The Spirit is the one who testifies, and the Spirit is truth. So there are three that testify, the Spirit, the water, and the blood, and the three are of one accord.”
• Gospel – Mark 1:7-11: “It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.”

Mass Readings for the Baptism of the Lord Year C

• First Reading – Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7: “Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations, not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. a bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, until he establishes justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait for his teaching.”
• Alternate First Reading – Isaiah  40:1-5, 9-11: “Fear not to cry out and say to the cities of Judah: Here is your God!”
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 29: “The Lord will bless his people with peace.”
• Alternate Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 104: “O bless the Lord, my soul.”
• Second Reading – Acts 10:34-38: “You know the word that he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power.”
• Alternate Second Reading – Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7: “He saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.”
• Gospel – Luke 3:15-16, 21-22: “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.””

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Beloved – A Baptism Lesson Plan

This Beloved lesson plan will help youth understand that baptism brings us into life as members of our Heavenly Father’s family. It uses the Gospel for the Baptism of the Lord from Matthew.

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Drip Drip Drop Game

This is a water game for teenagers which can be played indoors if you don't mind wiping up a few puddles at the end. It is basically Duck Duck Goose with water.

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Water Drop Race

This is an indoor water game. It is not messy at all! Tie this in with a baptism theme for the Baptism of the Lord.

You Are My Beloved – Discussion and Reflection Questions

This reflection encourages youth to consider how God expresses His love to us as baptized members of His family. It is based on the Gospel for the Baptism of the Lord from Mark.

Baptism Word Search Puzzle

This word search puzzle includes words typically associated with baptism. Use this as an activity for the Baptism of the Lord.

Paper Plate Dove Craft

This paper plate dove craft is simple enough for all ages. This makes a fun craft for the little ones for the Baptism of the Lord.

Learn more about the difference between a Bible and a Lectionary, how the Lectionary is arranged, and translations of the Bible used at Mass.