Beloved

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. But Herod the ruler, who had been rebuked by him because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the evil things that Herod had done, added to them all by shutting up John in prison. Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3:15-22

It is so wonderful when I have the opportunity to baptize a person. Young or old, joyful or tearful, it is a wondrous moment for the whole community. And I always think of the words Jesus (and the crowd) heard from heaven, " you are my beloved." I can't help but hear those words for everyone. Beloved. Wanted, adored by our Creator. When we treat anyone less than as beloved, we are not walking with the heart of God.

Loving God, you broke through the clouds

to tell your child you are my beloved

and you whisper to each and everyone

that we are loved and adored by You.

We often treat others without respect

we often look down on those with less

we abuse and defile the gifts you have given

help us to love and see as you always do.

Give us humble eyes to see beauty in others

give un tender hearts to welcome the stranger

let us be your beloved by loving our neighbors

and let us forgive those who cannot love right now. Amen.