Things to talk about:

• The first words John speaks in this Gospel are very familiar to us: “Behold the Lamb of God.” During what part of the Mass do we hear these words?
• Who shares the Good News with you by his or her actions? In what ways can you share the Good News?
• Do you use your words to help others come to know Jesus? Do others see Jesus in your actions?

Things to do:

• “I Baptize You” – Share some pictures, memories and the joy of family members’ baptisms. Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River. Look at the baptismal font in our Church, point out the Paschal candle (big candle near the font.) Remind children/teens that it represents Jesus who is our Light. Our baptismal candles are lit from the Paschal candle and we are told to keep it burning through our lives. Point out where the sacred oils are kept and the two that are used for Baptism: Oil of Catechumens and Holy Chrism (blue bottle). The third is the Oil of the Sick. Discuss how oil is symbol of strength.
   

Closing Prayer

Fill us with your Holy Spirit that we may have listening hearts and the courage to respond to you. Enkindle in my heart and the hearts of others the desire to make the world a better place by serving you. Amen.

Name those who need our prayers. Close with the Sign of the Cross.

Catholic Insight

Jesus is the Lamb of God who gives his life for us. John recognized this about Jesus and wanted to tell everyone. The other three Gospel writers give a description of what happens when Jesus is baptized but John’s tells it from his point of view. He says he saw the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, come down from the sky and rest on Jesus. That is how he knew Jesus was the one who was to come. John is single-hearted; he is passionate and dedicated to one purpose: preparing the way for Jesus.

Jesus began his public ministry after his baptism. He traveled all over preaching and healing. We too are sent forth after our Baptism to do God’s work. In order to hear God, we must tune out the outside world and make some time for silence, prayer and reflection.

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Additional key concepts for this week:

Good News of Salvation– the Good News that God loves humanity and sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to live, die, and rise, conquering sin and death, offering forgiveness, divine life, and eternal salvation to all who respond with faith and cooperation with God’s grace. This involves believing in Jesus, repenting, receiving Baptism, and living a life of love and good works as a response to God’s gift, empowered by the Holy Spirit. 

Ordinary Time – Christmas and Easter Time highlight the central mysteries of the Paschal Mystery: the incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, and the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The Sundays and weeks of Ordinary Time take us through the life of Christ. This is the time of conversion. This is living the life of Christ. (Adapted from USCCB).

Ordinary time  includes the days between Christmas and Lent, and between Easter and Advent. The liturgical color assigned to Ordinary Time is green. Also called Ordinal Time, as the Sundays are numbered and there is nothing “ordinary” about this time!

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Resources adapted from 52Sundays.com, Celebrating the Lectionary, At Home with the Word, Celebrating Families, Sunday Connection