God sent his Son, born of a woman, so that we would all receive adoptive sonship.

First Reading: 1 John 5:5-13 When being baptized, Jesus counts on the presence of the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, and on the testimony of the heavenly Father: “You are my beloved Son, in you I am well pleased”. Reading of the first letter of Saint John – Dear friends, 5who is the winner of the world, if not he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6This is he who came by water and blood: Jesus Christ. (It came not with water alone, but with water and blood.) And the Spirit is the one who bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth. 7Thus, there are three that bear witness: 8the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are unanimous. 9If we accept the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater. This is the testimony of God, for he testified concerning his Son. 10He who believes in the Son of God has this testimony within him. He who does not believe in God makes him a liar, because he does not believe the testimony that God gave concerning his Son. 11And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son does not have life. 13I write these things to you who have believed in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you possess eternal life. - Word of the Lord. Responsorial Psalm: 147(147B) Glorify the Lord, Jerusalem! 1. Glorify the Lord, Jerusalem! / O Zion, sing praises to your God! / For he has strengthened your gates with security / and he has blessed your children in your bosom. – R. 2. Peace within your limits has guaranteed / and gives you the flower of wheat as food. / He sends his orders to the earth, / and the word he speaks runs quickly. – R. 3. Announce his word to Jacob, / his precepts, his laws to Israel. / No people received so much affection, / he revealed his precepts to no other. – R. Gospel: Mark 1,7-11 Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah. The heavens were opened, and the voice of the Father was heard: / Behold my beloved Son, listen to him, all of you! (Mc 9,7) – R. Proclamation of the holy Gospel according to Mark – At that time, 7John preached, saying: “One stronger than I will come after me. I'm not even worthy of bending down to untie your sandals. 8I baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 9In those days, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan River. 10And immediately, as he came out of the water, he saw the sky opening and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. 11And a voice came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.” – Word of salvation. Reflection: John the Baptist does not want the attention of the crowd for himself. He warns that someone stronger is coming. He speaks of the Messiah, who possesses the fullness of the Holy Spirit. He will be superior, too, because he will inaugurate a new society, the New Covenant. By receiving baptism from John, Jesus indicates that he agrees with his preaching. Furthermore, by receiving baptism, Jesus declares his commitment to implement justice and to give himself up for the good of humanity. This implies the willingness to sacrifice one's own life. When being baptized, Jesus counts on the action of the Holy Spirit, who descends upon him in the form of a dove. And he has in his favor the testimony of the heavenly Father, who says to him: “You are my beloved Son”.