Daily Devotional

Collect of the Day
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into the glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking int he way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.


Scripture Reading of the Day, Luke 3:15-22
15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." 18 So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. 19 But Herod the ruler, who had been rebuked by him because of Herodias, his brother's wife, and because of all the evil things that Herod had done, 20 added to them all by shutting up John in prison.

21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; F29 with you I am well pleased."


Reflection

The Way of the Servant
by John Slow

Living Christ,
This was your decisive moment.
Rising from the river of baptism
You began to discover
What it meant
To be committed
To the way of the servant.

In your moment
Of seeing and hearing
The Spirit was preparing you for your mission:
You made the choice
And took the risk
Of obedience
And the rippling reflection of a cross rose from Jordan.
In your baptism
You set the pattern for us;
Help us to know,
And discover,
What it means
To be committed
To the way of the servant.

May your Spirit
Open our eyes
And ears
That we may become
Partners of your mission;
And in obedience,
Take up the cross and follow you.

Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou