The 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

Some folks seem to have iron clad egos, but most of us don't, and often feel like we are unworthy or less than others. So many wonderful see only their failings and inadequacies. Yet we are children of the living God. We believe that when we are baptized, we are baptized with Jesus and born again to new life in him. We become the family of God, siblings together in Christ. Along with Jesus, we are beloved, wanted and precious to our Creator, the hands and feet of Jesus in today's world. May we act humbly and also practice living as beloved children of a loving Creator.

Wondrous Creator, you set stars in the heavens

you bring dancing light in the deepest darkness

you have filled the world with great wonders

and speak your love to us across the ages.

We often do not see the value we can be

and don't consider ourselves as your beloved

yet in every hour of every day you speak still

and you invite us to live together as beloved all.

Give us your joy and your hope again today

so we might rise up together and bring peace

make us your heart and hands here on earth

so all might know they are beloved children. Amen.