Sunday January 12, 2025
THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD (FEAST)
Office proper, Te, Deum
Mass prop. Gloria, Preface of the Baptism of the Lord.
Vestment: White
Today’s Rosary:  The Glorious Mysteries

END OF CHRISTMAS SEASON

DEATH ANNIVERSARY of Bishop J. Daman (Shendam)-12/1/15

PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL DAY 11
“Precious Lord, I surrender to your mercy; Lord I surrender to your loving kindness; merciful God, I surrender to your saving grace.” 

THE GLORIA
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen

FIRST READING     
“The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. ”
A reading from the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 40:1-5.9-11)

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms, he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM   Ps 104: lb-2.3-4.24-25.27-28.29-30 (R. 1)
R/. Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God,
how great you are!

O Lord my God, how great you are,
clothed  in majesty  and honour,
wrapped in light as with a robe!
You stretch out the heavens like a tent. R/.

On the waters you establish your dwelling.
You make the clouds your chariot;
you ride on the wings of the wind.
You make the winds your messengers,
flame and fire your servants. R/.

R/. Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God,
how great you are!

How many are your works,
O Lord! In wisdom you have made them all.
The earth is full of your creatures.
Vast and wide is the span of the sea,
with its creeping things past counting,
living things  great and small. R/.

All of these look to you
to give them their food in due season.
You give it, they gather it up;
you open wide your hand, they are well filled. R/.

R/. Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God,
how great you are!

You hide your face, they are dismayed;
you take away their breath, they die,
returning to the dust from which they came.
You send forth your spirit, and they are created,
and you renew the face of the earth. R/.

SECOND READING 
“He saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit.”
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to Titus (Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7)

Beloved: For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world, awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.

The word of the Lord.

ALLELUIA Luke 3:16
Alleluia. John said: He who is coming is mightier than I; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Alleluia.

GOSPEL         
“When Jesus had been baptised and was praying, the heaven was opened.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 3:15-16.21-22)

At that time: As the people were in expectation, and all men questioned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he were the Christ, John answered them all, “I baptise you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Now when all the people were baptised, and when Jesus also had been baptised and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form, as a dove, and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

Celebrant:
Through the grace of baptism, God has made us children of light. Let us pray to him that we may always walk in that light and be witnesses of the Gospel before all persons.

FOR THE LEADERS OF THE CHURCH: that they may be true light to the nations and, through their ministry, bring God’s salvation to all persons. Let us pray to the Lord.

FOR THE LEADERS OF OUR COUNTRY: that they may be led by God’s spirit towards selflessly serving the people and bringing about justice, peace, and lasting development in our land. Let us pray to the Lord.

FOR ALL THOSE IN DIFFICULTY: that, amid their trials, their faith may remain firm, and that our God, who never fails, may come to their aid. Let us pray to the Lord.

FOR ALL OF US WHO ARE BAPTIZED: that we may engage in evangelization by bearing witness to Christ in our ordinary life situations. Let us pray to the Lord.

FOR OTHER INTENTIONS: (the sick, church projects or other activities).

FOR THE DEAD: especially the members of our parish community and families that they may find peace in the kingdom of Our Father. We pray to the Lord.

We pray in silence for our private intentions.

Celebrant:
Lord God, it is your will that all people be baptized and receive your gift of salvation. Hear and answer our prayers and give us the grace to imitate you in living out an authentic life of service. Through Christ our Lord.

R/. Amen.

TODAY’S REFLECTION
“Baptism is a sacrament that cleanses us from original sin, make us Christians, children of God and members of the church.” This definition has its origin in the baptism of Jesus himself. By joining the queue of sinners to be baptized, he identifies with sinners that he is sent to save; he becomes one with them. Hence when the father’s voice from heaven declares, “You are my beloved son; with you I am well pleased,” the redeemed sinners also hear and become identified as God’s children of course, it is the action of the Holy Spirit that makes us members of the church. We can now see that it is all about us. Jesus’ baptism is an invitation to us to share in his life. To be part of his life, we are to renounce irreligion and worldly passions and prepare our lives well for his dwelling.

PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL: Day 11

21 DAY NOVENA WITH FASTING AND PRAYERS for Ourselves, Family, and the Restoration of our Country in this New Year 2025 from Thursday 2nd January – Wednesday 22nd January 2025.

Kindly Note: the sick, pregnant women, nursing mothers and the aged are please advised to exercise caution in their fast. Please

  1. Opening Prayer: The name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Amen.
  2. Prayer point:
  • Starting today pray seriously asking God for deeper revelation of anything wrong with the ground work of your life, your family and your activities for the next 3 days.
  • Hebrews 11 tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God. Consequently, without faith, it is improbable to receive from the Lord. Asking and believing are equal requirements for receiving from the Lord. Even seasoned believers go through times of unbelief. Thomas, one of the disciples who had spent 3 years under the tutelage of Christ himself doubted!

-Your prayer life yields more and more results as your faith increases. Peter who denies Christ 3 times turned the world upside down when his faith was in the right place, and he was backed by the Holy Spirit. I pray that you would receive the Holy Spirit today if you haven’t already.

-Jeremiah 32:27 says, “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?

Let us start with a confession of faith. Say it with your own mouth and hear it. Faith comes by HEARING! Father, you are Lord, you alone are my God!

-You are God over all mankind. You are God over everything in my sphere and beyond!

There is nothing too hard for you! No situation is too hard! My situation is not too hard for you!! I believe in your power! In Jesus’ name.

-Lord may my heart be set on you. I repent of desires that are put ahead of your kingdom. Lord may my heart yearn for you. As a deer pants for the water, let my soul also yearn for you oh God! By this obedience, let all these things be added to me. May my heart’s desire be added to me.

-Joel 2:12-13 says, “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” 13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

-Lord, we repent of times where we have given material at the expense of our heart. It is not material that you desire, Lord. Father, we give our hearts.

  1. Reflection: Jer. 33:3, Ps. 80
  2. SAY THE ROSARY OF LIBERATION (optional) (How to say the rosary is in the bottom of page)
    (From Day 7 to Day 13 and Trust God with all your heart for his wonders.)
  3. PRAYER OF CONFIRMATION AND TRUST IN GOD
    Lord, God Almighty, I thank you for protecting me from every form of evil and bringing me the gift of your divine health. I thank you for breaking the chains of oppression and delivering me from every form of sin, sickness, disease and lie of the enemy. I thank you for the powerful name of Jesus to which every knee shall bow. Thank you for giving me your authority over all the power of the enemy. Nothing shall harm me.  Thank you for your full armour, your name, your most precious Blood and your Holy Spirit.

No weapon formed against me shall prosper. Thank you heavenly father for all your protection and provisions, for yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, now and forevermore. Amen

  1. Recite the Holy Rosary (Glorious Mysteries): Offer this mystery for yourself and family
  2. CONCLUDING PRAYERS
    You are God over all mankind. You are God over everything in my sphere and beyond! There is nothing too hard for you! No situation is too hard! My situation is not too hard for you!! I believe in your power! In Jesus’ name.

Precious Lord, I surrender to your mercy; Lord I surrender to your loving kindness; merciful God, I surrender to your saving grace. 

(Sanctify yourself and your family – Repeat as severally as you can)
“I surrender my life and my destiny to you oh Lord, wash it with the BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST.”

In the power and authority that you have given me, I say to all addictions, perversions, chemical dependencies, hopelessness, worry, doubt, fear, despair and all symptoms of any such illness, that you must submit to the name of Jesus.

I cast down every argument and proud obstacle that exalts itself against the knowledge of God in the mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

  1. In the name of the father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

HOW TO SAY THE ROSARY OF LIBERATION (Personal Devotion)

The rosary of liberation begins with Apostles Creed and ends with the hail holy queen.

In the place of the Our Father [on the large beads], we will pray the Words of God,
“if the Son makes you free, you will be free in deed” (John 8:36)

For example, if I am praying for myself, I would say (on the large beads of the Rosary):
IF JESUS MAKES ME FREE, I WILL BE FREE INDEED.

If I am praying for my family, I would say:
IF JESUS MAKES MY FAMILY FREE, MY FAMILY WILL BE FREE INDEED.
It is the word of God that is proclaimed.
In place of the Hail Mary’s (on the small beads), pray
JESUS, HAVE MERCY ON ME!
JESUS, HEAL ME! (3x)

If you are praying for your family, you should pray on each small bead:
JESUS, HAVE MERCY ON MY FAMILY!
JESUS, HEAL MY FAMILY! (3x)

And on the large beads:
IF JESUS MAKES MY FAMILY FREE, MY FAMILY WILL BE FREE INDEED.
If you are praying for a special person, for example (Mention the Name of the person):
On the large beads of the Rosary say:

IF JESUS MAKES (NAME) FREE, (NAME) WILL BE FREE INDEED.
Then on the small beads:
JESUS, HAVE MERCY ON (NAME)!
JESUS, HEAL (NAME)!
JESUS, SAVE (NAME)!
JESUS, FREE (NAME)!

After praying the Rosary of Liberation completely, give thanks to Jesus for the blessings that he is pouring over you and those for whom you are interceding.
Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, we praise and thank you, because you, through your mercy and pity. Created this powerful prayer to produce marvelous fruits of healing. Salvation and freedom in our lives, in our families, and in the lives of those for whom we pray. Thank you, Jesus, for you infinite love for us! And heavenly father, we love you, Father, with all the confidence of children. We draw nearer to you, at this moment, and pray that the Holy Spirit flows into our hearts. Father, so that the Holy Spirit can come into us, we want to empty ourselves. So, before the Cross of Jesus Christ, we renew our complete and unconditional deliverance to you. We ask that all our sins be forgiven and placed, now, on the wounded body of Jesus. We empty ourselves of all afflictions, worries, anguish, and all that have taken the joy from our lives. We deliver our heart to you, in the name of Jesus. Father, we also place on the crucified body of Jesus all our infirmities of body, soul and spirit; our worries about our families and work; our financial and marital problems; and all our anguish, uncertainties and affliction. Lord, we beseech the redeeming power of the Blood of Jesus. May this blood come over us now to cleanse and purify our hearts of all bad feelings. Jesus, have mercy on me! Jesus have mercy on us! Yes Father, we want to turn over to you all our desires, weaknesses, miseries, and sins; our hearts, body, soul, and spirit, everything that we are and have: our faith life, marriage, family, work, vocation, and ministry… fill us with your spirit Lord! Fill us with your love, with your power and with your life! Come, Holy Spirit of God! Come and bring to life the word of God in us, proclaimed through the Rosary of Liberation, and that this bring about in every heart the grace to heal, in the name of JESUS Christ our Lord. Amen

Easy, isn’t it? You will see at the end of the Rosary of Liberation the effects of God’s grace in yourself, in your family, or in the life of those for whom you are praying. The heavenly Father will send healing, salvation and liberation. When you are praying this Rosary, you proclaim the name of Jesus 205 times.