Deacon:  Wisdom. Stand up. Hear the Holy Gospel.

Priest:    Peace to you all.

People:   And to your spirit.

Deacon:   A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Mark [1:1-8]

People:  Glory to You Lord. Glory to You.

Priest:   Listen.

Deacon:

Beginning the Good News about Jesus Christ, Son of God.

It is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah,

            ‘Look, I am going to send my messenger before you,
            he will prepare the way for you.
            A voice cries in the wilderness,
            Prepare a way for the Lord
            Make straight the path for him.’

And so it was that John the Baptiser appeared in the wilderness, announcing a baptism of repentance, for the forgiveness of sins.

All Judaea, and all the people of Jerusalem, made their way to him, and as they were baptised in the river Jordan, they confessed their sins.

John wore a garment of camel skin, and he lived on locusts and wild honey.

While preaching, he said, ‘Someone is to follow me, someone who is more powerful than I am. And I am not worthy to kneel down and undo the straps of his sandals. I have baptised you with water. But he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.’

People: Glory to You Lord, Glory to You.