MK 1:1-8. The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God.  John the Baptist appeared in the desert declaring a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. John was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey. And this is what he proclaimed: "One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to crouch down and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."