Then 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 fulfil 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.’ Matthew 3:13-17
In our baptism, we join Jesus, deep in the water of the Jordan river, dying to the world of sin and rising with new life. John thought it improper for him to baptize Jesus, but it was "proper" to fulfill their callings. Jesus rises out of the water and the whole crowd hears the words from heaven and see the dove. None of us, in our baptism, whether infant or adult, heard a voice or voices from heaven. Just the joy and welcome of a whole community. We are invited today to remember our baptism, which joined us with Jesus, becoming beloved of God.
Gracious Creator, you make the waters flow
you speak you love from on high and nearby
reminding us we are beloved in dark times.
These days we forget our baptism and your love
living for our needs and ourselves alone
ignoring your call to service and compassion.
Help us to remember and live our baptism today
make us your people here on this earth so we might
share your love, welcome and healing here and now. Amen.
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