Sunday Connection

Gospel Reading
Mark 1:7-11
Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist.

Making the Connection (Grades 1, 2, and 3)

As younger children hear about the baptism of Jesus, help them learn more about their own Baptisms.

Materials Needed

• pictures of a baptismal font with holy water, oil, a baptismal candle and a priest baptizing an infant

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

1. Show children the pictures and invite them to share what they know about Baptism, filling in details as needed. Explain that it is our first sacrament, the one in which we become members of our Church family and receive God’s grace.
2. Say: Today we’ll hear about a different baptism—Jesus’ baptism. Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist, who tells the people that he will baptize with water, but Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit.
3. Read aloud today’s Gospel, Mark 1:7–11.
4. Ask: Who descended on Jesus during his baptism? (the Holy Spirit as a dove) Say: Then the voice from heaven proclaimed that Jesus was the Son of God.
5. Say: Jesus, the Son of God, gives us the Holy Spirit at our Baptism. The Holy Spirit fills us with God the Father’s life. He brings us God’s peace.
6. Say: The Holy Spirit is as close to us as our breath. Let’s take a moment to breathe in and out a few times. Then in the quiet of our hearts, let’s thank Jesus for giving us the Holy Spirit, who brings us God’s peace.
7. After children have prayed silently, invite them to share a sign of peace with one another. Pray all or part of the Peace Prayer (also known as the Peace Prayer of Saint Francis). Close by praying together Amen.

Gospel Reading
Mark 1:7-11
Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist.

Making the Connection (Grades 4, 5, and 6)

As the Christmas season ends, we return to the work of “ordinary time,” which is the life of discipleship that began at Baptism. Older children's commitment to the life of Christian discipleship can be strengthened by remembering the importance of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Materials Needed

• A liturgical calendar, such as the one found in "The Year in Our Church" section of the Finding God Children's Book

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

1. Show the group the liturgical calendar. Note that a new liturgical year began with the first Sunday of Advent and that we are now concluding the liturgical season of Christmas. Ask the group to identify the liturgical season we begin next. (Ordinary Time) Say: Today is the last day of the liturgical season of Christmas. It may come as a surprise that our Gospel for today doesn't tell us a story about Jesus' childhood. Instead we hear about how Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. Today is a good day to think about our own Baptism.

2. Ask the group: What are some symbols we identify with Baptism? (water, oil, white garment, light) A dove is another symbol associated with Baptism. Why? (The symbol of the dove is often used to represent the Holy Spirit; if no one knows this, tell them that they will find out why in today's Gospel.)

3. Say: When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, something amazing happened. In today's reading we hear about this event, and we learn what makes Christian Baptism different from the baptism of John the Baptist. Let's listen carefully to this Gospel so that we can learn what this difference is.

4. Invite one or more volunteers to read aloud today's Gospel, Mark 1:7-11.

5. Ask: What happened when Jesus was baptized by John? (The sky opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus; a voice from heaven announced that Jesus was God's Son.) What does John the Baptist say will be different about the baptism that will be initiated by Jesus? (John baptized with water; those baptized in Jesus' name will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.)

6. Say: We received the gift of the Holy Spirit when we were baptized. The gifts of the Holy Spirit will be strengthened in us through the Sacrament of Confirmation. If we read further in Mark's Gospel, we would learn that filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus began the work of his ministry. In the sacraments, Jesus sends us the Holy Spirit to strengthen us so that we might be witnesses to Jesus in our world.

7. Conclude in prayer together that through the grace of the sacraments we will be strengthened by the Holy Spirit for our lives of discipleship. Conclude with the Sign of the Cross.

Gospel Reading
Mark 1:7-11
Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist.

Making the Connection (Grades 7 and 8)

When Jesus was baptized by John, the Spirit descended upon him, and the voice from heaven announced God’s favor with his beloved Son. We can invite young people to reflect on the ways the Holy Spirit is at work in their lives, helping them to live in ways pleasing to God.

Materials Needed

• Paper and pens
• CD player
• Instrumental music

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

1. Say: Around the New Year, we see news reports and television specials that show “the year in review,” featuring important events of the past year. Some people find it helpful to do a similar review of their personal lives. Ask: Why do you think people look back and review the past in this way? (Accept all reasonable answers, for example, to help remember and understand the things that have happened, to see things from a different perspective.)

2. Say: Remembering the important things that have happened to us can help us to understand ourselves better. In looking back, we see the challenges and difficulties that we have faced. We also remember special occasions, events, and experiences that have affirmed us in positive ways.

3. Say: In this Sunday’s Gospel, we learn about an important event in the life of Jesus. Let’s listen carefully to this Gospel.

4. Invite one or more volunteers to read Mark 1:7–11.

5. Ask: What does John the Baptist say about the one who will come after him? (He will be mightier than John; he will baptize with the Holy Spirit.) What happened when Jesus was baptized by John? (The Spirit descended upon Jesus, like a dove; a voice from heaven spoke, calling Jesus God’s beloved Son.)

6. Say: At our Baptism, the Holy Spirit was given to us, and we were made children of God. God is pleased to give us the grace of this sacrament and strengthens this grace in the Sacrament of Confirmation. The Holy Spirit is always working in our lives, helping us live in ways pleasing to God.

7. Invite the young people to spend some time in quiet prayer. Distribute paper and pens to the young people. Have them draw a time line showing the past 12 months. Suggest that they can use this time line as they pray to help them recall highlights of the past year. Encourage them to ask to recognize how the Holy Spirit is working to make their faith stronger. Play instrumental music and allow time for quiet prayer.

8. Recommend that they pray often to the Holy Spirit for help and guidance. Conclude by praying together the psalm for this Sunday, from Isaiah 12:2–3,4–6.

Gospel Reading
Mark 1:7-11
Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist.

Family Connection

In the story of Jesus' baptism, we hear the report of a significant moment in Jesus' life. By accepting baptism from John the Baptist, Jesus shows himself to accept solidarity with sinners. In the voice from heaven and the descent of the Holy Spirit, we know that God received this offering from Jesus and found it pleasing. In the passages that follow in Mark's Gospel, we learn that Jesus' baptism marks the beginning of his public ministry.

Although many of us may have already taken down our Christmas decorations, liturgically speaking, the Christmas season hasn't ended yet; today is the last day. Holidays like Christmas are highlights of our year, moments of great grace. This grace renews us and prepares us for our return to the season of Ordinary Time, to the continuing work of discipleship.

Gather as a family and discuss your feelings about the ending of the Christmas season. How does it feel to take down the Christmas decorations? Many of us experience a letdown after the excitement of Christmas; others may feel relieved that life is returning to normal. Liturgically, we end the Christmas season today by reflecting on the importance of Jesus' baptism. Read together today's Gospel, Mark 1:7-11. Jesus' baptism prepared him for his public ministry. What will we take from this Christmas season to carry us forward into Ordinary Time, to renew and strengthen our life of Christian discipleship? Conclude by praying together today's psalm response taken from the book of the prophet Isaiah, Isaiah 12:2-6, or pray the Prayer to the Holy Spirit.