January 11, 2026 | Epiphany 1A (Baptism of Our Lord)
Full-text of the Appointed Lessons (RSV and NRSV), with instructions for lectors
January 11 – The First Sunday After the Epiphany, Year A – RCL
ILLUMINATION for the First Lesson
The First Sunday After the Epiphany, Year A, Jan. 11, 2026
Isaiah 42:1-9
The perfect ruler is coming. He will bring justice for the oppressed and will minister gently to the downtrodden.
A reading (lesson) from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah:
(Lead in with) RSV: Behold my servant…; NRSV: Here is my servant…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc.
Revised Standard Version
Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him, he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not fail or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law. Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread forth the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: “I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. I am the LORD, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to graven images. Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
New Revised Standard Version
Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching. Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. I am the LORD, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols. See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.
ILLUMINATION for the Second Lesson
The First Sunday After the Epiphany, Year A, Jan. 11, 2026
Acts 10:34-43
Peter preaches the gospel story as he himself experienced, and ties this narrative to the whole of the history of God’s relationship with his people, Israel.
A reading (lesson) from the Book of Acts:
(Lead in with) RSV: Peter opened his mouth…: NRSV: Peter began to speak…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc.
Revised Standard Version
Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the word which he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), the word which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses to all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and made him manifest; not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that he is the one ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that every one who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
New Revised Standard Version
Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
ILLUMINATION for the Gospel Lesson
The First Sunday After the Epiphany, Year A, Jan. 11, 2026
Matthew 3:13-17
Jesus is baptized by John in the river Jordan, insisting that this is the right order of things — demonstrating his humility even as he is crowned with the Holy Spirit by the sign of a dove.
A reading (lesson) from the Gospel according to Matthew:
(Lead in with) RSV and NRSV: Jesus came from Galilee…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc. If read by an ordained person as the eucharistic gospel, conclude with The gospel of the Lord.
Revised Standard Version
Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
New Revised Standard Version
Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
January 11 – The First Sunday After the Epiphany, Year A – BCP
ILLUMINATION for the First Lesson
The First Sunday After the Epiphany, Year A, Jan. 11, 2026
Isaiah 42:1-9
The perfect ruler is coming. He will bring justice for the oppressed and will minister gently to the downtrodden.
A reading (lesson) from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah:
(Lead in with) RSV: Behold my servant…; NRSV: Here is my servant…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc.
Revised Standard Version
Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him, he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not fail or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law. Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread forth the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: “I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. I am the LORD, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to graven images. Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
New Revised Standard Version
Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching. Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. I am the LORD, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols. See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.
ILLUMINATION for the Second Lesson
The First Sunday After the Epiphany, Year A, Jan. 11, 2026
Acts 10:34-38
Peter preaches the gospel story as he himself experienced, and ties this narrative to the whole of the history of God’s relationship with his people, Israel.
A reading (lesson) from the Book of Acts:
(Lead in with) RSV: Peter opened his mouth…: NRSV: Peter began to speak…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc.
Revised Standard Version
Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the word which he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), the word which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
New Revised Standard Version
Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
ILLUMINATION for the Gospel Lesson
The First Sunday After the Epiphany, Year A, Jan. 11, 2026
Matthew 3:13-17
Jesus is baptized by John in the river Jordan, insisting that this is the right order of things — demonstrating his humility even as he is crowned with the Holy Spirit by the sign of a dove.
A reading (lesson) from the Gospel according to Matthew:
(Lead in with) RSV and NRSV: Jesus came from Galilee…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc. If read by an ordained person as the eucharistic gospel, conclude with The gospel of the Lord.
Revised Standard Version
Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
New Revised Standard Version
Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
Scripture quotations labeled NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.
The Living Word | Lectionary Preaching Aids
Exploring the Texts
“In meditating on the Baptism of Jesus, we do well to meditate on our own. Though we may not remember the moment…we may trust that a ceremony which in some ways marks the solemn joy of parents welcoming a new child into their lives has not entirely lost its deeper meaning.” Read it all.
“As Jesus goes into the river, he steps into a broken human family, a natural order shaken; he dips himself in water reserved for the blind, the imprisoned, all those cast into the dungeon. He becomes what we are in a great parabolic action.”
“Although John would have prevented him, Jesus goes into the mighty waters. He that knew no sin became sin on our behalf. He took upon himself a cleansing he did not need, he himself being the source of all life and renewal. He became what we are in order that we might become what he is.”
Preaching Today
Sam Wells: Servants of Justice
“This servant has a compassionate heart: if you are broken or fragile, this servant will look out for you. This servant won’t be subdued by enemies or the greatness of the task, and won’t pause until the whole job is finished, right out to the edges of the land.”
Patrick Gahan: Neck Deep in Life With You
“Taking off his sandals, first the soles of his bare feet touched the cool water of the river, then his ankles, his knees, until he was up to his waist and dunked by John in the Jordan. Consider what Jesus was saying without uttering a syllable: ‘I’m neck deep in life with you.’”
Jeremy Bergstrom: To Fulfill All Righteousness
“The key concept here is obedience. That’s what opened up the heavens and brought the Spirit to a dark world. Jesus and John consented. Jesus’ entire life was a big ‘yes’ to God, in every way.”
Classic Texts
Charles Simeon: The Great Improbability
“It is not altogether the number of the things that have been foretold respecting our blessed Lord, no, nor even the minuteness of them, that carries the fullest conviction to our minds: it is the strangeness of them, and the great improbability that such things should ever have combined in our Lord and Savior.”
George Whitefield: Candle of the Lord
“Does it not often dazzle your eyes, O you children of God, to look at your own brightness, when the candle of the Lord shines out, and your redeemer lifts up the light of his blessed countenance upon your souls?”
Aelred: The Whole Trinity Is Revealed
“For the Holy Spirit appeared in the likeness of a dove and remained over him, and the voice of the Father was heard, ‘This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.’ Thus the whole Trinity is revealed: the Father in the voice, the Son in the man, the Holy Spirit in the dove.”
Articles on Baptism of Christ
Paul Wheatley: The Destiny of the Beloved
“From the earliest interpretation of Jesus’s baptism, Christians have seen a connection between the divine utterance and our status as baptized people. Ignatius of Antioch says as much when he says that Jesus ‘was born and baptized that by his Passion he might cleanse the water’ (Epistle to the Ephesians 18:2). In other words, Jesus’s baptism makes our baptism effective.”
Ajit John: All Creation with Him
“If he had not been willing to bend under the waters of the Jordan, he would not have been able to open his life to our temptations and our sufferings. Now at his rising and ascension, he carries these triumphs to heaven.”
Blake Sawickey: What Is Your Orientation?
“This episode reveals something of the nature of the Trinity and begins Jesus’ formal ministry in the world with a series of symbolic acts consecrating the waters of baptism and foreshadowing his own death and resurrection. But more than this, it makes the simple point: the one with whom Jesus is chiefly (eternally!) in dialogue, claims him for his own. ‘This is my beloved Son.’”
Articles on Epiphany
Charleston Wilson: Epiphany and Souffles
“Let us crush the cursed mirror on the wall, and look instead to the Christ Child, born to heal us, save us, and make us whole.”
Mother Miriam: Epiphany through Monastic Eyes
“Subsequent disenchantments with community life or other sisters’ quirks do not rob our memory of that ‘aha’ moment of understanding the paradox of losing one’s life to save it or the slave of Christ who is the freest person of all.”
Calvin Lane: Seeing Jesus Before Penitence
“Epiphany, as a season, now has a liturgical and catechetical integrity: We are led steadily to the Mount of Transfiguration, and only after we’ve answered the Epiphany question — Who is this Jesus? — can we make our preparations for Mount Calvary.”
Articles on Baptism
Mac Stewart: On Baptism
“Baptism is the act by which the eternal God — the God who spoke and the world came to be, the God whose ineffable mysteries cannot be compassed by the highest cherubim, the God who is Being beyond all being, Good beyond all good, pure life and activity, perfect rest and repose — it is the act by which this God rips us out of our congenital self-absorption and grips us with the unimaginable force of his everlasting mercy.”
Sarah Puryear: Baptism: A New Birth into a Living Hope
“Baptism is a similar sort of encounter: God in Christ drawing us up out of the waters of sin and death that threaten to quench our life; God in Christ tenderly embracing us as he calls us by name; God in Christ infusing us with new life that is infinitely stronger than death, and that he promises will be everlasting.”
