Beloved

 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

Beloved

Did you see me stumbling

and reach out your hand

or was it you that brought me low

shoving me from my solid perch

hanging on for dear life to you?

I trusted you to help me.

Did you not see the relative

the familiar eyes and smile 

the accent that reminded you

of a home long since lost?

Or did you see a stranger?

When God declared from above

when love reached to solid earth

did you not realize that the broken

the lost, confused and lonely

the ones that disturb you

were truly now your community?

Breaking all the earthly rules

the privilege and the country club

this holy declaration sets all free

to be the beloved community here

to be the extended family rising.

You may not see me but here I am

the beloved one name just like you

drenched in the waters and marked

for the blessings of life right here

for the fullness of God's promises now.