A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.

In the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar, … the Word of God was spoken to John son of Zechariah in the desert.  John went about the entire region of the Jordan proclaiming a baptism of repentance which led to the forgiveness of sins, as is written in the words of Isaiah the prophet:

“A herald’s voice in the desert, crying,
Make ready the way of our God,
Make a straight path.
Every valley shall be filled
And every mountain and hill shall be leveled.
The windings shall be made straight
And the rough ways smooth,
And all shall see the salvation of God.”

The Good News as spoken through Luke.