Beloved

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'” John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. Mark 1:1-13

Gracious Creator, you call us all your children

cherishing us from before we were even born

giving us your heart and your loving spirit

so that we might become your  sacred vessels.

John was given the ministry of prophecy

he carried the good news of a Savior's coming

he was clothed humbly and lived wild

yet people came to the river for baptism.

They ache as we do to be made whole again

to draw near to the heart of our Creator

to walk in the holy and sacred way with you

carrying good news to the suffering and alone.

Baptize us anew with you sacred spirit

enliven us to embrace the people around us

remove all the walls and barriers from our hearts

so we might be your beloved in this time. Amen.