INFANT BAPTISM SUGGESTED SCRIPTURE READINGS, PSALMS AND PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
(Please choose ONE Reading, ONE Psalm, and One or Two People to read the Prayers of The Faithful. You may also like to choose a Gospel Reading for the Priest or Deacon administering the Sacrament) Readings
First Reading:
(1) A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans (6:3-5)
When we were baptised in Christ Jesus we were baptised in his death; in other words, when we were baptised we went into the tomb with him and joined him in death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the Father’s glory, we too might live a new life. If in union with Christ we have imitated his death, we shall also imitate him in his resurrection. The word of the Lord.
(2) A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans (8:28-32)
We know that by turning everything to their good God co-operates with all those who love him, with all those that he has called according to his purpose. They are the ones he chose specially long ago and intended to become true images of his Son, so that his Son might be the eldest of many brothers. He called those he intended for this; those he called be justified, and with those he justified he shared his glory. After saying this, what can we add? With God on our side who can be against us? Since God did not spare his own Son, but gave him up to benefit us all, we may be certain, after such a gift, that he will not refuse anything he can give. The word of the Lord.
(3) A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Corinthians (12:12-13)
Just as a human body, though it is made up of many parts, is a single unit because all these parts, though many, make one body, so it is with Christ. In the one Spirit we were all baptised, Jews as well as Greeks, slaves as well as citizens, and one Spirit was given to us all to drink. The word of the Lord.
(4) A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Galatians (3:26-28)
All baptised in Christ, you have all clothed yourselves in Christ Jesus. All baptised in Christ, you have all clothed yourselves in Christ, and there are no more distinctions between Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female, but all of you are one in Christ Jesus. The word of the Lord.
(5) A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Ephesians (4:1-6)
I, the prisoner in the Lord, implore you to lead a life worthy of your vocation. Bear with one another charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patient. Do all you can to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together. There is one Body, one Spirit, just as you were all called into one and the same hope when you were called. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God who is the Father of all, over all, through all and within all. The word of the Lord.
(6) A reading from the first letter of St Peter (2:4-5 9-10)
Jesus Christ is the living stone, rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him; set yourselves close to him so that you too, the holy priesthood that offers the spiritual sacrifices which he has made acceptable to God, may be living stones making a spiritual house. You are a chosen race, royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a people set apart to sing the praises of God who called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people at all and now you are the People of God; once you were outside the mercy and now you have given mercy. The word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalms
(1) The Response is: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit. /R 2.
He guides me along the right path; he is true to his name. If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil should I fear. You are there with your crook and staff; with these you give me comfort. /R 3.
You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes. My head you have anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing. /R 4.
Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me all the day of my life. In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for ever and ever.
R (2) The Response is: Look toward the Lord and be radiant.
I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise always on my lips; in the Lord my soul shall make its boast. The humble shall hear and be glad. /R 2.
Look towards him and be radiant; let your faces not be abashed. This poor man called; the Lord heard him and rescued him from all distress. /R 3.
The angle of the Lord is encamped around those who revere him, to rescue them. Taste and see that the Lord is good. He is happy who seeks refuge in him. /R 4.
Then keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn aside from evil and do good; seek and strive after peace. /R 5.
The Lord turns his face against the wicked to destroy their remembrance from the earth. The Lord turns his eyes to the just and his ears to their appeal. /R 6.
They call and the Lord hears and recues them in all their distress. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted; those whose spirit is crushed he will save.
(3) The Response is: The Lord is my light and my help.
The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; before whom shall I shrink? /R 2.
There is one thing I ask of the Lord, for this I long, to live in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life, to savour the sweetness of the Lord, to behold his temple. /R 3.
It is your face, O Lord, that I seek; hide not your face. Dismiss not your servant in anger; you have been my help. /R 4.
I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. Hope in Him, hold firm and take heart. Hope in the Lord! /R
Gospel Readings
(1) A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (22:35-40)
This is the greatest and the first commandment. To disconcert Jesus, one of the ,Pharisees, a lawyer, put a question, `Master, which is greatest commandment of the Law?’ Jesus said, toll must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first Commandment. The second resembles it. You must love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang the whole Law, and the Prophets also’ The Gospel of The Lord
(2) A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (28:18-20)
Make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Jesus came up and spoke to his disciples. He said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always; yes to the end of time.’ The Gospel of The Lord
(3) A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (10:13-16)
Let the little children come to me. People were bringing little children to Jesus, for him to touch them. The disciples turned them away, but when Jesus saw this he was indignant and said to them, `’Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. I tell you solemnly, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ Then he put his arms round them, laid his hands on them and gave them his blessing. The Gospel of The Lord
(4) A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (12:28-31)
Listen, Israel, love the Lord your God with all your heart. One of the scribes came up and put a question to Jesus, ‘Which is the first of all the commandments?’ Jesus replied; `This is the first: Listen, Israel the Lord our God is the one Lord, and you-must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You must love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.’ The Gospel of The Lord
(5) A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (3:1-6)
Unless a man is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of heaven. There was one of the Pharisees called Nicodemus, a leading Jew, who came to Jesus by night, and said, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who comes from God; for no one could perform the signs that you do unless God were with him’. Jesus answered: ‘I tell you most solemnly, unless a man is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said, ‘How can a grown man be born? Can he go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?’ Jesus replied: ‘I tell you most solemnly, unless a man is born through water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God: what is born of the flesh is flesh; what is born of the Spirit is spirit.’ The Gospel of The Lord
(6) A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (6:44-47)
Everybody who believes has eternal life. Jesus said to the crowd: `No one can come to me unless he is drawn by the Father who sent me, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets: They will all be taught by God: and to hear the teaching of the Father, and learn from it, is to come to me. Not that anybody has seen the Father, except the one who comes from God: he has seen the Father. I tell you most solemnly, everybody who believes has eternal life.’ The Gospel of The Lord
Prayers of the Faithful
Celebrant: My brothers and sisters, let us ask our Lord Jesus Christ to look lovingly on this child (these children) who is (are) about to be baptised, on his (her/their) parents and godparents, and on all the baptised.
Reader(s): 1. By the mystery of your death and resurrection, bathe this child (these children) in light, give him (her/them) the new life of baptism and welcome him (her/them) into your holy Church. Lord hear us. All: Lord graciously hear us.
2. Through baptism and, later on confirmation, make him (her/them) your faithful follower(s) and a witness(es) to your gospel. Lord hear us. All: Lord graciously hear us.
3. Lead him (her/them) by a holy life to the joys of God’s kingdom. Lord hear us. All: Lord graciously hear us.
4. Make the lives of his (her/their) parents and godparents examples of faith to inspire this (these) child (children). Lord hear us. All: Lord graciously hear us.
5. Keep his (her/their) family (families) always in your love. Lord hear us. All: Lord graciously hear us.
6. Renew the grace of our baptism in each one of us. Lord hear us. All: Lord graciously hear us.